Body dysphoria, most often referred to as body dysmorphic disorder -- or BDD -- is a debilitating preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance that impairs social, occupational or other aspects of life. Psychiatric Clinics of...
With images of stick-thin models and beautiful celebrities bombarding you on a regular basis, it can be difficult not to obsess about your own weight. In a culture where looks are so important, it can be easy to forget what is truly...
The teen years are fraught with changes. The onset of puberty brings on physical and emotional changes that many teens struggle with. Teens often place a high value on their appearance, says Kids Health, which can result in a teen comparing...
Not every weight loss is planned, and even planned a weight loss might not leave you looking the way you thought you would. Plus, there can be other reasons why your weight loss might result in emotional damage, You need to understand why you...
Large muscles are widely regarded as attractive, healthy and sexy. Most Americans, particularly men, aspire to have larger, firmer muscles throughout their body. No single quick fix can provide instant muscle growth, but several long-term...
Losing weight can be a struggle for many people, and it becomes even more discouraging when you're not seeing the results of your hard-earned weight loss. There are a variety of reasons why you might not see the weight coming off but most are...
Anorexia, or anorexia nervosa, is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by low body weight, obsession over weight loss and a distorted body image. Though numerous underlying issues that contribute to anorexia have little to...
Anorexia nervosa is a serious type of eating disorder that affects both the mind and the body. Sufferers of anorexia find themselves dieting excessively to lose weight, even when they are currently at a safe weight. The anorexic may also suffer...
While you're working to lose weight, you're probably desperate to see results. Even if you see a difference on the scale, not seeing it in the mirror can be discouraging. The truth is that changes are often slow to show, especially if you're...
There's no way to spot reduce fat on your neck region. All areas of your body lose fat at the same rate, so you must focus on burning fat through aerobics, strength training and a nutritious, low-calorie diet. Once your body is burning more...
A 2005 study showed that 41 percent of subjects who were instructed to describe a "false memory" of an episode where strawberry ice cream had made them sick later reported that they would avoid the food in the future. The experiment was conducted...
Celapram is an antidepressant medication belonging to a class called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. The active ingredient in Celapram is citelopram, and in the U.S., the medication is sold under the trade names Celexa and...
You've probably been exposed to millions of media images and advertisements depicting the supposedly perfect woman from the time you were a young girl. In fact, teen girls receive most of their information about women's issues from the media....
A diet turns into an eating disorder when the circumstances around withholding or indulging in food becomes an obsession. Compulsive and ruminating thoughts can lead to extreme behaviors that result in starvation, purging of food, binge eating or...
Atypical depression often goes undiagnosed in patients because of the reverse vegetative symptoms that set this disease apart from traditional depression. Instead of being unable to experience pleasure at all, your mood might be enhanced by...
For some, plastic surgery is a way to regain a normal appearance after an accident. For others, plastic surgery is a way to correct perceived cosmetic flaws. Regardless of the reason for the plastic surgery, there are serious disadvantages of the...
The obsessive urge to pull hair is called trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is a psychiatric impulse control disorder, which sometimes co-occurs with obsessive compulsive disorder or body dysmorphic disorder. According to the Mayo Clinic,...
Children receive numerous health benefits from sports, including healthy bones and muscles, decreased risk of obesity and lower levels of stress, according to pediatrician William Sears. When children overtrain, however, they are susceptible to a...
The neurotransmitter serotonin, also known by its chemical name 5-hydoxytryptamine, is released by neurons in the pineal gland of the brain but can affect structures all over the body. Some of the effects of serotonin seem unrelated, making this...
Mental health professionals use the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" to diagnose mental health disorders and communicate about a client's problems and treatment with other professionals in the field. Hundreds of...
Untreated depression can increase a person's risk for attempting suicide, according to allaboutdepression.com, and up to 15 percent of those who attempt suicide actually succeed in ending their lives. Understanding the relationship between suicide...
If your child is underweight, he simply may not be getting enough nutrition. However, he may also have a health condition or an eating disorder. No matter what the reason, it's important to consult a doctor for nutritional advice when modifying...
Many women and men have become overly concerned about how they look. A survey in the 2008 edition of "CNS Spectrums" indicates that 2.4 percent of adults have dysmorphic disorder -- an unhealthy obsession with physical appearance. Most people,...
If you are struggling to lose weight and look your best, you may be disappointed if diets and exercise have failed. You may have considered taking extreme measures to meet your weight loss goals or to take off those last stubborn pounds. Taking...