When it comes to eating disorders, the media and the public-at-large primarily focus on young girls. But the disorders are not uncommon among men, either. For men, admitting to an eating disorder can be especially tough because the world tells them they're supposed to be strong, productive and efficient.

"For men, the problem of getting help goes beyond the issues of stigma and denial. If you want to get help, you have to ask for it - that's where the problems begin. 'Men tend not to seek medical treatment,' said [Paul] Gallant [operation leader, provincial mental health programs for Providence Health], 'especially for mental disorders. Men are expected to be masculine. Asking for help could be perceived at a sign of weakness.'"

Often, the same recovery programs are used for both male and female patients, even though the causes among men and women are often very different. Some treatment centers have begun to realize this are developing programs that are gender-specific. Read more at Canada.com.

Labels: denial, manorexia, support