Val Bellman

By Val Bellman

Men account for approximately 20% of people with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and 30% of people with Bulimia Nervosa (BN). The clinical features of eating disorders (EDs) in men and women have many similarities but also some interesting and important differences. Men with eating disorders face persistent stigmatization because of the stereotype that EDs are “female” conditions. Most structured risk assessment tools for AN/BN likely reinforce gender stereotypes by better reflecting female symptoms. Moreover, gender similarities and differences in EDs have received scant investigation. Clearly, this form of disordered eating can put men in danger of experiencing a wide range of negative outcomes. Due to this lack of knowledge, these patients usually go undiagnosed and undertreated for ten or more years. These clinical differences are evident in the processes related to treatment initiation, retention, completion, and outcomes. Therefore, we discussed how the manifestation and progression of male eating disorders can be influenced by social context, including family and work relationships, interactions with social institutions. Treatment recommendations are discussed in the context of gender-based physiological differences, behavioral differences, comorbidities, and men-specific conditions.

Part of the book: Recent Updates in Eating Disorders

By Val Bellman

The purpose of this chapter is to provide healthcare professionals, researchers and caregivers with insights on persistent somatic symptoms afflicting cancer survivors. These symptoms, including pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, sexual dysfunction, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular, neurological and musculoskeletal complications often endure long after treatment completion, negatively impacting quality of life. Certain populations like childhood cancer survivors and those receiving intensive chemotherapy have higher somatic symptom burden. Possible mechanisms include accelerated aging, somatization tendencies, treatment side effects, mood disorders, and comorbidities. Assessing patient-reported outcomes and screening tools can facilitate early detection and management. Treatment strategies encompass pharmacological and nonpharmacological modalities targeting specific symptoms. Overall somatic symptom burden correlates with psychological distress and disability among survivors. Tailored, patient-centric rehabilitation programs over the cancer trajectory, from pretreatment through long-term survivorship, can mitigate symptoms. More research on persistent somatic complications is warranted to optimize evidence-based care for survivors’ multifaceted needs.

Part of the book: Somatoform Disorders - From Diagnosis to Treatment [Working title]