Inside Body-Image Disorders | Newsweek Health

Posted By: goldeniangel @ 05/29/2008 4:15:18 PM

Comment: As someone who has problems with seeing her body as it really is, I know that it's not just a matter of re-training the brain... that can help yes, but I do worry that there are people out there worse off than me in this way, that are being ignored or told they can fix it on their own. There's really only a certain amount you can do on your own. I've lost 15 lbs in the past year - I gained because I couldn't see the changes to my body originally, and then became obsessed with weight loss after a (now ex) boyfriend told me I was fat. I couldn't see the gain, and I can't see the loss... only before when I looked in the mirror I always saw myself as skinny, after the ex told me I was fat I finally saw myself as I really was - not fat, but definitely overweight. That lasted until I started losing and now it changes from day to day whether I look in the mirror and see fat, normal, or skinny. But I know that what I'm looking at isn't real... how my clothes fits IS. It's in my head, I can look at other things than the mirror to know what's really going on, but that doesnt' mean that I've actually gotten better.

Posted By: Rune @ 02/11/2008 12:07:45 PM

Comment: BBD is a paralyzing disease that needs to be taken seriously. I let the disease control my life; I avoided social functions, dressed in hats and baggy clothes, and had thoughts of suicide. I suffered with it for years before I was able to overcome my embarassment and seek out help. Finding the right doctor is key, I went through 3 physicians before I found one that correctly diagnosed me and came up with an effective treatment plan. One doctor had never heard of BDD, and when I explained it to him shrugged me off and told me I looked fine. If you think you or someone you know has this disorder, seek help. You can have every comestic procedure under the sun, and you will never be happy. Facing up to your problems and seeking care will make you much happier than that second nose job, believe me.

Posted By: feelinsassy2006 @ 01/05/2008 1:52:25 PM

Comment: If you are thin and beautiful people treat you like a body only. They treat you like you have no depth. Body image is an illusion the same that people associate with blonds. The disorder is that the general public associate everyone lumped as a group instead of free thinking individuals. No wonder young girls/some boys do anything for thinness, looks...shame

Posted By: Kami @ 12/27/2007 12:26:02 AM

Comment: Having a child who developed compulsive behavoirs, I firmly believe you can with diligence retrain your brain. I forced my son out in the world as there were no psychiatrists who would take him on as a serious patient. Psychiatrists want immediately to jump to meds which only made things worse in his case. Psychiatrists want clinical proof in a nebulous world. It doesn't always happen. You have to try everything, but never give up.

Posted By: quidnunc @ 12/08/2007 4:12:51 AM

Comment: Traits like perfectionism or obsessive compulsive behaviors that contribute to disorders like BDD most likely have relatively high heritability but their expression can have positive and negative effects. We feel the way we think and the brain does change over time as thinking adapts (as it does when it falls into maladaptive thoughts and behaviors). I am less of a perfectionist now that I have recovered from BDD through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Posted By: quidnunc @ 12/08/2007 3:49:23 AM

Comment: Articles like this play into philosophical misunderstandings. BDD is a complex disorder and traits that contribute to it are biologically bound as are all mental processes. Many traits are likely influenced by structural and functional differences between brains but there is a tendency to think of the brain as if it were a fixed computer system, and abnormalities consisting in a "disorder" a "glitch" in the system.

Posted By: Barneyh8er @ 12/07/2007 12:39:47 PM

Comment: AlexD, I'm glad you're accepting of your body, now. However, I spent 30 YEARS thinking I was the only one who felt as I did. BDD doesn't make sense to anyone who hasn't experienced it. Say what you want about diagonosing every condition. There is a great deal of truth to this one. Once I understood I wasn't alone in feeling this, and yes, received some meds, I have been much more engaged and able to fully participate in life around me in all forms.

Posted By: AlexD @ 12/07/2007 11:13:01 AM

Comment: OMG, They will try to call anythng a disorder now a days. This gentleman and any other citizen suffers from this "disorder" because we are living in a world that is obsessed with the image of celebrities and other people perfect appearances. But this does not give doctors and psychiatrist the right to diagnose anything. I have suffered from my own body image for years, I am now 21 and have realized I dont care what others think of me and I am pleased with my looks. THis is just another hoax for doctors and physichians to make mroe durgs and problems for people in America. GROW SOME SELF ESTEEM YOUR THRITY>>>