Publish date: 3 March 2022
Dr Tracy Teng, a leading psychologist at West London Community Eating Disorder Service, says there are lots of misconceptions about eating disorders, which can prevent people from seeking help. Eating disorders don't discriminate based on gender, Tracy explains: "It's important to note that eating disorders affect both men and women. Up to a quarter of people suffering from eating disorders are men. However, men may not feel comfortable seeking treatment and are less likely to be diagnosed because of the associated stigma and the stereotype that an eating disorder is a 'female condition'. Some individuals question whether they deserve treatment because they are not underweight or they think their symptoms are not severe enough."
She continued: "We believe anyone with an eating disorder deserves help irrespective of their weight, eating disorder diagnosis or severity. As a support service, we need to focus on the experience of men more and continue to work on enhancing that support. We encourage anyone who thinks they have an eating disorder to seek support and treatment as soon as possible."
West London Community Eating Disorder Service has been working with the Trust's Recovery College to produce a range of workshops and courses relating to eating difficulties and body image. The first two-hour workshop on 'Exploring Difficulties around Eating' was held on Friday 25 February. Staff members have also been enrolling on half-day training sessions, so they're better trained to support patients with eating disorders.
