Could use your help

Hi
I would like your help.

I am looking for input concerning the differences that you see in male and female bulimia.

Males do not have the same issues concerning bulimia and eating disorders in general that females do. Of course there is some cross referencing between the two. There is the baseline problem of body image.

But.

There are also some differences in the psychological approaches, needs, and responses to bulimia.

I did my first interview with a male bulimic who is currently a professional athlete. His major reason for becoming bulimic was entirely a weight control issue. He had started out attempting to gain weight and muscle to perfect his sport. As he aged he noticed that he was starting to gain a considerable amount of body weight that was fat. He gained eight inches around his waist and the extra weight was really affecting his performance.

Enter bulimia. His initial attempts to diet failed. He was caught in a cycle of binging but then had become fearful of gaining too much weight and his need to regain his former physique was an emotional and self esteem issue.

Bulimia appeared to be working at first. He lost weight but it was not in accumulated fat. It was muscle too.

He became fatigued and ill. His performance issues multiplied. He was still overweight. He was afraid to try to tell anyone because of shame and embarrassment.

He and I are currently working together to build a solid remission program. He is doing well and in fact has changed his emotional and psychological position at this juncture.

Support remains a problem. He does not want his team mates, family, and friends to find out he is bulimic. His reason? He feels that bulimia has been labeled a "female" problem, a woman's issue, and feels that this will somehow hurt him if it's found out.

At least now he has one other person who knows and is starting to see how that can help.

If we keep this to ourselves it will never be resolved. Perspective is needed. We cannot solve a problem with the same internal system that invented it.

So I am asking anyone who reads this blog or knows someone who is willing to tell their story to please take a minute and leave it here for others to read. I think this would be helpful to us all. If you have suggestions or solutions to specific problems please leave them.

And if you are willing to be interviewed please let me know.

We will continue to seek answers and solutions.

In Loving Kindness
Bryan