Male anorexia

One possible cause of male anorexia is simple genetics. Some personality types are more likely to develop eating disorders than others. For example, perfectionists are more likely to develop an eating disorder than their counterparts. Likewise, high anxiety levels and obsessive-compulsive disorders are also possible causes of male anorexia. All three of these personality types are genetically linked - and all three can by the cause of male anorexia.

Perfectionism is a leading cause of male anorexia. Perfectionism leads to the desire to be right, accepted, and in control – all of which can be the primary causes of male anorexia. A male with an eating disorder often feels the need to control his own life, family, friends and, especially, his own body. Even more, the cause of male anorexia in perfectionists is the actual desire to reach perfection and the erroneous belief that being thin, or perfect, will lead to happiness.

Further research has indicated that another cause of male anorexia can be traced back to the brain’s dopamine receptors, which regulate pleasure. Excess activity in this area can be the cause of male anorexia because the male feels compelled to lose weight, yet experiences no pleasure from his accomplishment of actually losing weight.

On the other hand, the cause of male anorexia can be an attempt to gain pleasurable feelings. Undereating can temporarily reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. In this way, the cause of male anorexia is the continual attempt to mask pain. At Casa Palmera, these underlying issues are looked at closely and the treatment plan involves resolving these emotional causes of male anorexia. This results in a healthier, well rounded individual. By eradicating the cause of the male anorexia, the male is less likely to fall into the vicious eating disorder cycle.

Other emotional factors that can be the cause of male anorexia include family issues. These causes of male anorexia can vary widely. Some males with eating disorders report feeling smothered by their families. Yet others felt abandoned and misunderstood. Still more had parents who overemphasized their physical appearances. In these families, the cause of the male anorexia is the fact that the individual learned to keep doubts, fears, anxieties and imperfections hidden. His only means of solving problems is to take control of food and of his body.

Cultural pressures to be thin and the portrayal of thin individuals on television are also underlying causes of male anorexia. The continual barrage of ads containing thin, happy people inevitably sends the message that happiness can only be found by being thin.