Low self-esteem, perfectionist attitude, over achiever attitude, avoidance of conflict, depression, anxiety, a need for control, a feeling of unworthiness, a feeling of self-loathing, a need for acceptance, and a lack of expressing emotions.

•  Being overweight or even obese as a child
• Being abused as a child
• Being teased as a child by peers
• Participating in low-weight oriented sports such as wrestling, running, and horse jockeying
• An impaired sense of self
• Severe dieting.

However, there are several differences between men and women when it comes to eating disorders. The age onset for the development of an eating disorder is later for a man than it is for a woman. Men are also more typically overweight before the development of an eating disorder than women are. An eating disorder may go undiagnosed for a longer period of time for a male because it is more acceptable in our society for a man to be a compulsive overeater or overweight. It is not uncommon for a male to be simultaneously suffering from an addiction to drugs, alcohol, and have more sexual anxiety.

Another difference between males and females is the existence of REVERSE ANOREXIA. A term dubbed by Arnold Anderson, M.D., Reverse Anorexia is a disease in which the person believes that they can never be big enough. They will work to become larger and larger and will continue to bulk up because they think that they will never be muscled and buff enough.

• Preoccupation with bodybuilding, weight lifting, or muscle toning
• Compulsive Exercise
• Reserved attitude; very distant
• Fasting, restricted dieting, excessive dieting
• Not eating in front of others, constant excuses for not eating.

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging or compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain.
• Massive preoccupation with food.
• Compulsive Exercise
• Intense fear of becoming fat.
• Extreme use of diet pills, laxatives, and diuretics.

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating.
• Hiding food and eating massive amounts of food in secrecy.
• Eating massive amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry.
• Feeling a lack of control over food.
• Depressed and anxious mood.
• Sexual avoidance.