What is manorexia ?

Everyone knows about anorexia nervosa, a eating disorder that causes people to lose more and more weight. According to the last balance sheet of the French Society of Nutrition, 5,000 new cases would be detected each year. And in 10 % of cases, men too are concerned.

Anorexia nervosa is often considered as an exclusively female disorder, wrongly. The male counterpart of this disease is now known as manorexia , contraction of "male" and " anorexia ". In men as in women, the behavior is the same: "an absolute food control that is regularly accompanied by a hyper physical or sports practice, vomiting, taking diuretic or laxatives", as well as the explains Dr. Corinne Blanchet-Collet, Endocrinologist and nutritionist specialist in eating disorders at the House of Solenn .

Manorexia : what is it due to?

For this specialist in eating disorders:

Very often, anorexia nervosa occurs on a terrain of vulnerability. People who suffer from it are often predisposed to this type of pathology. It is always the reflection of a psychic suffering, and sometimes the emergence of an associated psychiatric disorder.

Does this mean that the triggers are the same? Not necessarily. Genetic, emotional, psychic, socio-cultural, individual and / or family factors are of course to be taken into account, as well as life events ( divorce , moving, postpartum , bereavement, sexual abuse, marriage ... ) that can serve as click.

But a Canadian study, conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal, point to a correlation between high-level sports and manorexia : boys seek to lose weight to gain muscle, even if they replace food with food. dietary supplements or growth hormones. A fact pointed out by Dr. Thierry Vincent, psychiatrist in Grenoble and specialist in anorexia, who considers that the pressure generated by competitive sport may be one of the factors triggering anorexia nervosa:

I have often had patients who practiced competitive sports. In this case, losing weight is a very important success factor. The satisfaction felt when they lose weight ends up making them fall into anorexia.

Manorexia : the clues to detect

Anorexia nervosa is more difficult to diagnose in men than in women, and for several reasons. Starting with the misconception that it is a female disease! As a result, men who suffer from it do not necessarily dare to talk about it. Another problem: in women, the absence of menstruation is often considered one of the most suggestive symptoms. However, there is no real equivalence in men, except a decrease in libido and erectile dysfunction , but these problems are not always associated with a disorder of eating behavior.

Dr. Corinne Blanchet-Collet reminds that, in men and women alike:

Anorexia nervosa causes a need for control, perfection, which can also be manifested by a school hyper-investment or work, or hyperactivity. Apart from changes in weight and diet, changes in mood and behavior are also usually observed. An anorexic person will tend to isolate himself, including his family or siblings.

Without forgetting, of course, signs of physical and psychological discomfort, or risky behavior, such as scarification or the consumption of addictive substances. Especially since the abuse of drugs or alcohol can be exacerbated by the over-consumption of food supplements or growth hormones, according to a US study.

Manorexia : how to treat it?

Manorexia is treated as anorexia nervosa, and begins with an awareness among the relatives of the victim: " The first work of the entourage is to detect the eating behavior disorder being attentive," recalls Dr. Corinne Blanchet -Collar. It is even more important that men generally have more difficulty accepting the fact that they suffer from anorexia nervosa, so it is essential to discuss the subject with them to direct them to care.

Like any other disorder of eating behavior, manorexia is treated through the combination of several medical disciplines: doctor somatician , psychiatrist, psychologist, dietician, endocrinologist ... Complete care that can take time: between 2 and 5 years on average. During this time, the support of loved ones is essential: " The sick need to be kept in real life, in order to avoid isolation , but relatives can act as an anchor, to help the person to keep in touch with the external reality ".

Moreover, this support function must continue, even after the cessation of care, in order to prevent the disease from coming back later, in this form or under that of another disorder.