Many people are surprised to learn that more than 20% of individuals with eating disorders are male, and that percentage rises to nearly 30% for bulimia. One attorney lived within those statistics for over two decades. His struggle with bulimia began during his first year of college and continued through law school, ultimately following him into his legal career. Alongside the eating disorder, he also battled alcohol and cocaine use disorders, compounded by major depression — a combination that made it incredibly difficult to maintain a healthy or satisfying professional life.
When he first acknowledged what was happening, the shame felt overwhelming. He believed he was completely alone, convinced that no other man — and certainly no other lawyer — had ever experienced an eating disorder. In his mind, admitting to alcoholism or drug use felt more socially acceptable than revealing a condition so widely mislabeled as a “women’s issue.” He also had no idea that eating disorders and substance use disorders co-occur in roughly half of all cases, a statistic that might have helped him understand his situation with more compassion.
Nearly nineteen years have now passed since he last engaged in bulimic behavior. The path to recovery has not been perfectly smooth, and he acknowledges that body image issues still arise from time to time. Like many people, he experiences the occasional moment of dissatisfaction when looking in the mirror — a common and widely accepted experience referred to as “normative discontent.” However, what has changed is his response. Instead of turning to harmful behaviors, he now uses healthier coping mechanisms that support his long-term well-being. His journey reflects the powerful truth that recovery is achievable, even after years of struggle.
As Eating Disorder Awareness Week began on February 24, he encourages anyone who may be suffering — whether a teenager, an adult or an LGBTQ individual — to reach out for help. Shame is a natural reaction, he reminds others, but it should never prevent someone from seeking support. Resources exist, and no one has to confront these challenges alone.