Tim was diagnosed with anorexia at 24: 'I never met another male with an eating disorder'

This is Tim Conway. He's a 30-year-old straight man living in Newcastle and recovering from anorexia.

Not who you'd expect to be the face of an eating disorder campaign, right? But that's the point. Nearly 60 per cent of Aussies incorrectly believe only young women are affected by eating disorders.

The Butterfly Foundation has just launched its Christmas Appeal campaign #AnEDLooksLikeMe to break down the stigmas associated with eating disorders.

READ MORE: 'Perfect breeding ground': The troubling impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on eating disorders

There's a common misconception that eating disorders have a specific 'look'.

Yet more than one million Australians — including males, females, LGBTIQA+, matured-aged, youth, and people from all cultural backgrounds — live with an eating disorder.

Conway says this is why he wanted to be a part of the campaign.

"I got involved because when I was getting treatment, whether that be inpatient, or outpatient I never met another male with an eating disorder. So, when I was in hospital or those outpatient groups, I was the only male," he says.

It can be isolating and lonely if you feel like the only one. But Tim was not alone. More than one-in-three of people living with an eating disorder are male.

Between 15-20 per cent of people living with anorexia and bulimia are male and there are approximately as many males and females suffering from Binge Eating Disorder.

"I was always a bigger fella, I'm 6'4". But I never really took care of myself. Then at my 21st I got the photos back from that and I just didn't like what I saw," he says.

"I was diagnosed with anorexia around 24, and between then and now I've done five hospital admissions, inpatient in Sydney.

"I was arguing with my parents a lot. There was an ultimatum from my sister-in-law and my family, and it was basically 'get better or it's back to hospital'. I got sick of being sick and constantly being tired and my body not working and shutting down, and I just decided that I wanted to get better. It was time."

Society is now more open and understanding of mental illness, which Conway says has helped.

READ MORE: Why we need to change the way we talk about our bodies: 'We're taught small is good and big is bad'

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"We always say women have always been great advocates at times for eating disorders and being able to have that conversation," he says.

"We males never really had that. We've always been seen as weak. I'm hoping now some of those conversations are starting to be had."

Conway also says this as a wakeup for GPs to not to make assumptions just on how someone looks. 

"I've had bad experiences with doctors asking me to get on the scales and I've refused. I was always terrified of scales," he continues.

"I think that puts people off from actually going back to a doctor or even going back to a doctor, any doctor because of those bad experiences."

Seventy-five per cent of Aussies living with an eating disorder do not seek professional help due to stigma, stereotyping and a belief they do not fit the mold of what an eating disorder supposedly looks like.

Butterfly Foundation CEO Kevin Barrow explains the holiday season can prove a very daunting and challenging time of the year for people with eating disorders.

"For many of us, the holidays mean spending time with family, sharing gifts and enjoying meals together. However, for people living with disordered eating, it can be a triggering time," Barrow says.

"We're using this time of year to raise of awareness, spark conversations and tackle stigma head on, and in the spirit of giving, seeking donations to Butterfly so we can continue to provide critical services that help in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders."

You can donate here.

Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact: Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE)