ABU DHABI // Doctors specialising in dangerous eating disorders say most of the Emiratis who seek their help are males who have hit a critical stage.
They say the stigma surrounding disorders such as anorexia and bulimia still stops nationals – particularly young women – seeking help.
“Emiratis lack the psychological mindset of western countries and anorexia remains a stigma,” said Dr Veena Luthra, a consultant at the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology. “Families remain very conservative and reluctant to bring their children to a mental health centre.”
This, doctors say, is a major problem as early intervention is considered crucial. Dr Luthra has seen mostly adults because “they no longer need their parents’ permission to seek help”.
The males are too embarrassed to come forward and will only seek help when their condition becomes critical, she said.
“Men see anorexia as a female disease and are embarrassed to come forward. They usually come forward only if they have been hospitalised or the health is severely affected.
“One of my male patients only sought my help after his condition was affecting his work.”
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders says an estimated 5 to 15 per cent of people with anorexia or bulimia are men.
But psychiatrists dealing with children and adolescents say they mainly see male patients.
Dr Nadia Dabbagh, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Dubai Health Authority, said this could mean women were not seeking help.
This is a serious problem because anorexia “has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder”, Dr Dabbagh said.
Dr Dabbagh said that in the past four years she had seen only one Emirati patient who suffered from anorexia nervosa – a young boy. The others were western or Arab expatriates.
“The Emirati boy sadly remains unwell,” she said. “Unfortunately, a major issue we are facing is being able to convey the severity of anorexia and the need for intensive and comprehensive treatment to families for whom anorexia is a foreign concept.
“The father tends to minimise and stop appointments once the boy has gained a few kilograms, which he then loses again as he has not had continuous intensive treatment.”
A tremendous amount of support is needed to overcome an eating disorder, Dr Dabbagh said.
“Families need a huge amount of understanding and support. Regular family support groups or skills-based workshops would be recommended.
“Ideally, the families are empowered so they are able to care for the sufferer and manage the disorder in the home setting with outpatient care.
“If there are serious physical or psychiatric concerns, then more intensive day care or even brief inpatient admissions are necessary.”
Dr Fareeha Sadiq, lead consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Camali clinic, said results were better for early-intervention patients.
“The earlier we identify disordered eating attitudes, or eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, the better the outcomes,” Dr Sadiq said.
“Treating eating disorders requires a family approach. It is common for anorexia to affect not just the young person but all members of the family.
“One of the mothers I see described anorexia as ‘that stranger invaded my whole family. We all became anxious, worried, unhappy and angry’.”
A member of UAE Overeaters Anonymous said: “We never see any Emirati members. There are two Emirati guys and they don’t attend often.
“I’ve never seen any Emirati women and I’ve been a member for years.”
salnowais@thenational.ae
