.png)
Eating disorders are alarming illnesses that have to be dealt with immediately; otherwise, they will keep growing and eventually consume the patient's whole mind and body. As much as it is important to treat eating disorders, it is also necessary to spread awareness and get recognition about them from people who don't regard them as serious mental problems. How do we spread awareness?
The first measure we can take is to increase the number of events, seminars, and conferences among people at gatherings to keep them updated and conscious about eating disorders. Once people start recognizing them, it is very important that special conferences are arranged aiming to clear the problems of males suffering from eating disorders, specifically, as they still hesitate to admit compared to females. Functions and events specially dedicated to eating disorders in males can be held throughout educational institutions including schools, colleges, universities, etc. These events are an integral part of unifying the eating disorder treatment community and sufferers into a united front fighting for the awareness, prevention, and treatment of eating disorders. Nowadays, during the pandemic, when having events can result in the spread of the coronavirus, virtual sessions can be held easily via video calls and online meeting platforms.
A number of organizations can be organized to specially work for this cause in letting people know, even in some undeveloped areas. Colleges and universities can motivate their students to research these topics deeply and write reports on them that are shared publicly. The media also plays an integral role in letting people know about common affairs, so why not use them to inform people and circulate information? Organizations and hospitals can advertise information on tv and social media, so young people are motivated to lead awareness campaigns. These measures can help spread awareness and clear the misconception of people regarding eating disorders, both in men and women.
The government can also play an integral role in promoting awareness among the population regarding eating disorders. The ministry of health can work to provide suitable assistance to organizations and hospitals. Financial donations can be provided to the organizations so they can effectively promote awareness among people. Training sessions can be held for medical professionals so they learn new methods to treat eating disorders. the government can fund hospitals that haven't yet explored the departments of mental illnesses. it should also do surveys and find out the data about the number of patients suffering from eating disorders and other mental illnesses so a clear plan can be formulated to deal with eating disorders.
Treatment of Eating Disorders
After completing our research, we found out two different answers to one question. The question was: Should men and women get the same treatment for eating disorders? After researching deeply on this topic, we found out that men have a more non-acceptant attitude towards admitting that they face a problem mainly associated with females. This can also be linked to toxic masculinity and societal pressure, which is why men have a tendency to not show themselves as weak. This psychological difference between males and females tells us that males and females should receive different psychological treatment.
The same question was asked by Dr. Aliya Khalid, a UK-trained psychiatrist, and surprisingly we were informed that males and females are provided the same treatment for eating disorders. You can check out her response by clicking on this link below:
In order to help a friend or a family member with an eating disorder, we should first reach out to them, make them feel comfortable, and help them understand that they are beautiful as they are, without any imperfections. Listen to them instead of telling them what to do, help them get proper treatment, talk to them and let them reveal their feelings to you. Help them open up, and make them understand the meaning of life. This way, you would be able to save someone from a deep pit they have been living in.
It is time that people accept that both males and females have eating disorders. It is time that they are provided with proper treatment and help, and it is time that they are accepted into society. Help those around you, accept them in society, and help them love themselves!
WHAT CAN PAKISTAN DO TO TACKLE THE ISSUE OF EATING DISORDERS?
As you can see in our blog on how USA and Pakistan are tackling with eating disorders in men (https://eatingdisorders10.wixsite.com/website-1/post/usa-vs-pakistan) the Government of Pakistan is not doing anything to tackle the issue of eating disorder as compared to USA. Thus what Pakistan can do is that they can provide funding to different organizations working on eating disorders . they can also encourage different psychiatrist and mental health workers to organize an organization which will work on the awareness on eating disorders in men and treatment of an Eating disorder. Pakistan can make an online platform where it can provide free help and time with a psychiatrist.
REFERENCES
Really informative
Extremely motivating!!