Called the disease of "imagined ugliness," body dysmorphic disorder drives some people to plastic surgeons over and over and turns some into shut-ins. A similar disorder, olfactory reference syndrome, makes people think they offend others with an imaginary foul odor. Both of these disorders can result in social phobia.
Bad Relationships with Food
People with anorexia nervosa starve themselves out of an extreme fear of becoming overweight. Others with the same fear purge by vomiting to prevent weight gain, with a disorder called bulimia nervosa. While anorexia and bulimia are most prevalent among women increasing numbers of men also suffer from these conditions. People who binge on food without purging are compulsive overeaters who have a condition called binge eating disorder.
Many males also suffer from muscle dysmorphia, a disorder that drives poeple to obsessively build muscle mass. Anorexia, bulimia and muscle dysmorphia can all lead to exercise addiction.
A personal story
Although the overwhelming majority of eating disorders afflict women, many men suffer as well. Read the following true story about a young man who fought and conquered the demon of binge eating disorder. Read his story now...
