Muscle Dysmorphia, an evil of the mind

[Flagg]

Even though I heard this just now on the Radio 1 Newsbeat, i'm not gonna site that as anything near credible so I dont think it deserves to go in the News Section, but according to a recent survey in the UK, 1 in 5 men are unhappy with their body image and being "obsessed" with the gym is a growing "problem".

Yep, apparantly guys that are obsessed with the gym and never think they are big enough, suffer from, and I quote, an "evil disease" of the mind (known as Muscle Dysmorphia) that is a growing problem.

I hate how the media put a bullshit spin on everything now. So even keeping fit is bad for us these days? So shall we all just be good little drones, that do exactly what the government tells us to do?

[RuhlFreak55]

obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated

[Dukkit]

yea, everyone has problems. everyone has image issues, relationship issues, guilt and regrets over things they have done. this is just another thing that the media has found to make a thing over because there is a lack of things to really report on. the same ole shit everyday, the war. the presidential race. blah blah blah. so some reporter sitting on his ass decided to write something up about this. just to get a paycheck

no biggie

[Flagg]

yea, everyone has problems. everyone has image issues, relationship issues, guilt and regrets over things they have done. this is just another thing that the media has found to make a thing over because there is a lack of things to really report on. the same ole shit everyday, the war. the presidential race. blah blah blah. so some reporter sitting on his ass decided to write something up about this. just to get a paycheck

no biggie

Yeah I agree, but it also seems a step into "Don't do this, the public don't know what's good for them" direction that Police States like to go. A coupla years back, the News couldnt make up its mind on whether we have too much salt in our diet or too little. If anything, its the media that are obsessed.

[Dukkit]

Yeah I agree, but it also seems a step into "Don't do this, the public don't know what's good for them" direction that Police States like to go. A coupla years back, the News couldnt make up its mind on whether we have too much salt in our diet or too little. If anything, its the media that are obsessed.

thats the important thing we need to remember

[TranscriptionFactor]

^^ agree. And the media would LOVE everybody to become "obsessed" with wasting all their time and energy following the media.
Yeah, of course there is an extreme of anything, but I gotta say that if you want to become a little "obsessed" about fitness or BB, that's a helluva lot better than so many other things people do.

[Chode Logan]

I won't even bother talking about the media itself and how much of a sham it is, cause I won't stop. But if I do remember correctly, an absurd amount of US citizens are obese. So that was the epidemic before, everyone being fat. And now people are concerned with their appearance that's an epidemic now too? Sounds like the healthiest disease I've ever heard.

[Skully44420]

psshh fukkin media. how can being dedicated to weight lifting/fitness be a fukkin disease? screw those dumbasses. i bet the person that wrote it is an obese fat fukk

[Voland]

obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated

i agree.
Everyday you here the media invents a new "exia" or "phobia" or "addiction to"

[Amorphic]

muscle dysmorphia is a real thing. personally while i appreciate what bodybuilding can do to a person, at the same time it takes you down a very dark road.

[Chode Logan]

muscle dysmorphia is a real thing. personally while i appreciate what bodybuilding can do to a person, at the same time it takes you down a very dark road.

I do completely agree here, I just think it's silly how the media exploits any silly thing they can to put the public in a over-stimulated daze of fear and random exaggerations. But yes it can lead people down a dark road. I think it reaches extremes when people start shooting synthol in themselves to look bigger, that's fvcked up if you ask me.

[Amorphic]

I do completely agree here, I just think it's silly how the media exploits any silly thing they can to put the public in a over-stimulated daze of fear and random exaggerations. But yes it can lead people down a dark road. I think it reaches extremes when people start shooting synthol in themselves to look bigger, that's fvcked up if you ask me.

agreed. im on the fence about synthol though, ive seen people use it for its intended purpose and its worked out well for them.

[ravanA]

bodybuilding is the lowest form of a "sport" and very selfish. a lot of work and effort for muscle growth. u spend hard earned cash on gear to look better (more than woman send on makeup or even clothes! (Maybe)). although working out is great and good for your health, but u can take things too far in this dark "sport"

[MuscleScience]

bodybuilding is the lowest form of a "sport" and very selfish. a lot of work and effort for muscle growth. u spend hard earned cash on gear to look better (more than woman send on makeup or even clothes! (Maybe)). although working out is great and good for your health, but u can take things too far in this dark "sport"

So it is less selfish to your family to be lazy and sedentary, eat unhealthy and not care about your health and fitness. Is it better to take a pill for every ailment that comes up. When the vast majority of aliments are directly attributed to a sedentary lifestyle. Hmmm, I guess I would rather spend my cash on medications and pizza than gym memberships and gear... GOOD POINT.

[Chode Logan]

So it is less selfish to your family to be lazy and sedentary, eat unhealthy and not care about your health and fitness. Is it better to take a pill for every ailment that comes up. When the vast majority of aliments are directly attributed to a sedentary lifestyle. Hmmm, I guess I would rather spend my cash on medications and pizza than gym memberships and gear... GOOD POINT.

Ha you win.

[audis4]

So it is less selfish to your family to be lazy and sedentary, eat unhealthy and not care about your health and fitness. Is it better to take a pill for every ailment that comes up. When the vast majority of aliments are directly attributed to a sedentary lifestyle. Hmmm, I guess I would rather spend my cash on medications and pizza than gym memberships and gear... GOOD POINT.

hahahahha

I love the way you put things!

[DSM4Life]

Its real and i feel i have it on some small level.

Body dysmorphic disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (previously known as Dysmorphophobia and sometimes referred to as Body dysmorphia) is a psychiatric disorder in which the affected person is excessively concerned about and preoccupied by an imagined or minor defect in his or her physical features. The sufferer may complain of several specific features or a single feature, or a vague feature or general appearance, causing psychological distress that impairs occupational and/or social functioning, sometimes to the point of complete social isolation.[1] It is estimated that between 1%-2% of the world's population meet all the diagnostic criteria for BDD.

Individuals with very obvious and immediately-noticeable defects should not be diagnosed with BDD, however culture and clinician bias may play a significant part in the subjectivity behind determining what physical appearance is considered 'normal' and in whom the disorder is diagnosed.[2] BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects, linking it, among psychologists, to the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. The exact cause or causes of BDD is unknown, but most clinicians believe it to be a complex combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.

Onset of symptoms generally occurs in adolescence or early adulthood, although cases of BDD onset in children and older adults is not unknown. BDD is often misunderstood to affect mostly women, however research shows that it affects men and women equally. The disorder is linked to significantly diminished quality of life and co-morbid major depressive disorder and social phobia. With a completed-suicide rate more than double than that of major depression, and a suicidal ideation rate of around 80%, BDD is considered a major risk factor for suicide. A person with the disorder may be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both. Research has shown cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to be effective in treating BDD. BDD is a chronic illness and symptoms are likely to persist, or worsen, if left untreated.

Overview

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines body dysmorphic disorder as a preoccupation with an imagined or minor defect in appearance which causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The individual's symptoms mustn't be better accounted for by another disorder, for example weight concern is usually more accurately attributed to an eating disorder.

The disorder generally is diagnosed in those who are extremely critical of their physique or self-image even though there may be no noticeable disfigurement or defect, or a minor defect which is not recognised by most people. Most people wish that they could change or improve some aspect of their physical appearance; but people suffering from BDD, generally of normal or even highly attractive appearance, believe that they are so unspeakably hideous that they are unable to interact with others or function normally for fear of ridicule and humiliation about their appearance. They tend to be very secretive and reluctant to seek help because they fear that others will think them vain or because they feel too embarrassed. It has also been suggested that fewer men seek help for the disorder than women.[3]

Ironically, BDD is often misunderstood as a vanity-driven obsession, whereas it is quite the opposite, for people with BDD believe themselves to be irrevocably ugly or defective.

BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects, linking it, among psychologists, to the Obsessive-Compulsive spectrum disorders. People with BDD may compulsively look at themselves in the mirror or avoid mirrors, typically think about their appearance for at least one hour a day (and usually more), and in severe cases may drop all social contact and responsibilities as they become a recluse.

A German study has shown that 1–2% of the population meet all the diagnostic criteria of BDD, with a larger percentage showing milder symptoms of the disorder (Psychological Medicine, vol 36, p 877). Chronically low self-esteem is characteristic of those with BDD, because the one's assessment of one's value is so closely linked with one's perception of one's appearance. BDD is diagnosed equally in men and women, and causes chronic social anxiety for its sufferers.[1]

Phillips & Menard (2006) found the completed-suicide rate in patients with BDD was 45 times higher than in the general United States population. This rate is more than double that of those with clinical depression and three times as high as that of those with bipolar disorder.[4] Suicidal ideation is also found in around 80% of people with BDD.[5] There has also been a suggested link between undiagnosed BDD and a higher than average suicide rate among people who have undergone cosmetic surgery.[6]

Common symptoms and behaviors

There are many common symptoms and behaviors associated with BDD. Often these symptoms and behaviours are determined by the nature of the BDD sufferer's perceived defect, for example, use of cosmetics is most common in those with a perceived skin defect, therefore many BDD sufferers will only display a few common symptoms and behaviors.

[] Symptoms

Common symptoms of BDD include:

* Obsessive thoughts about perceived appearance defect.
* Obsessive and compulsive behaviors related to perceived appearance defect (see section below).
* Major depressive disorder symptoms.
* Delusional thoughts and beliefs related to perceived appearance defect.
* Social and family withdrawal, social phobia, loneliness and social isolation.
* Suicidal ideation.
* Anxiety; possible panic attacks.
* Chronic low self-esteem.
* Feeling self-conscious in social environments; thinking that others notice and mock their perceived defect.
* Strong feelings of shame.
* Avoidant personality: avoiding leaving the home, or only leaving the home at certain times, for example, at night.
* Dependant personality: dependence on others, such as a partner, friend or parents.
* Inability to work or an inability to focus at work due to preoccupation with appearance.
* Decreased academic performance (problems maintaining grades, problems with school/college attendance).
* Problems initiating and maintaining relationships (both intimate relationships and friendships).
* Alcohol and/or drug abuse (often an attempt to self-medicate).

[] Compulsive behaviors

Common compulsive behaviors associated with BDD include:

* Compulsive mirror checking, glancing in reflective doors, windows and other reflective surfaces.
* Alternatively, an inability to look at one's own reflection or photographs of oneself; often the removal of mirrors from the home.
* Attempting to camouflage imagined defect: for example, using cosmetics, wearing baggy clothing, maintaining specific body posture or wearing hats.
* Excessive grooming behaviors: skin-picking, combing hair, plucking eyebrows, shaving, etc.
* Compulsive skin-touching, especially to measure or feel the perceived defect.
* Reassurance-seeking from loved ones.
* Excessive dieting and exercise.
* Comparing appearance/body-parts with that of others, or obsessive viewing of favorite celebrities or models whom the person suffering from BDD wishes to resemble.
* Use of distraction techniques: an attempt to divert attention away from the person's perceived defect, e.g. wearing extravagant clothing or excessive jewelry.
* Compulsive information seeking: reading books, newspaper articles and websites which relates to the person's perceived defect, e.g. hair loss or dieting and exercise.
* Obsession with plastic surgery or dermatology procedures, with little satisfactory results for the patient.
* In extreme cases, patients have attempted to perform plastic surgery on themselves, including liposuction and various implants with disastrous results. Patients have even tried to remove undesired features with a knife or other such tool when the center of the concern is on a point, such as a mole or other such feature in the skin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder

[RapaciousShark]

I better get help

[Nicotine]

i'd rather be addicted to the gym and obsessed with my body, then be on welfare smoking EDITED every day or hitting the EDITED pipe.

things could be worse.

[DSM4Life]

i'd rather be addicted to the gym and obsessed with my body, then be on welfare smoking ***** every day or hitting the ***** pipe.

things could be worse.

edit fool

[ravanA]

Y u taking it so far?? just cuz u dont go to the gym, doesnt mean u should smoke and eat pizza everyday... have a balanced day maybe?? its not just one way or the other. balance is the key word

[FallenWyvern]

bodybuilding is the lowest form of a "sport" and very selfish. a lot of work and effort for muscle growth. u spend hard earned cash on gear to look better (more than woman send on makeup or even clothes! (Maybe)). although working out is great and good for your health, but u can take things too far in this dark "sport"

You don't know the women that I know apparently.

[Alex Rodriguez]

muscle dysmorphia really does exist and is in the dsm criteria, i think they were just trying to put the whole 1 in 5 thing as a media tactic, though the disorder is prolly a lot less common.

its pretty much reverse bulima, except being too fat, u think u always look weak, even though u weigh 230 and bench 350... bulima and muscle dysphoria are only diagnosed when u pretty much u pathologically believe u look weak, even though u r much stronger then u think.