Male Body Obsession - "Body Obsessed Boys"
Males "Dying to be Thin" - Dr. Phil McGraw Show Review
Jan 12, 2009
Eric is 15, a well-groomed teenager with an intact biological family. He has two brothers, one older and one younger.
Troy, 22, is an articulate health teacher. Both Eric and Troy are obsessed with losing weight and exercising. What happened?
Eric's Eating Disorder
At the age of 12, Eric was diagnosed with an eating disorder. He was also hospitalized, because his weight had dropped to a dangerously low level. He told Dr. Phil, "An obsession which got out of hand, now I can't stop...One side [of me] knows I'm hurting myself...other side [the eating disorder side] takes over...[it] says, that the doctors don't know what they're doing."
Dr. Phil pointed out that there are, "10 million eating disorder [sufferers], 1 million of them are men."
Eric has been constantly worried about becoming fat. According to Eric's dad, his son rigorously exercised. So much so, that it is now forbidden for Eric to exercise.
The family discovered that when Eric took a shower, he was in the bathroom far longer than was necessary. One of his brothers peeked under the door to find his brother exercising while the shower was running. Over time, so much steam from the flow of water damaged the ceiling.
Dr. Phil questioned the parents about Eric's behaviors. Eric's dad thought that it was just a phase - that his son would get over it himself. Eric's mother pointed out that Eric has been unable to help himself.
Family Kitchen
Eric's mother prepares the meals. Through tears she explained that Eric is so rigid with how his food is prepared that, if she makes the slightest mistake, he will not eat the meal. For instance, Eric will only eat egg whites. If there is the smallest bit of yolk in with the whites, he will not eat the egg.
The kitchen and meal preparation have become a battleground. He throws tantrums if the meal is not prepared according to his strict standards.
Dr. Phil repeatedly asked Eric how he crossed the line from normal eating to obtaining an eating disorder diagnosis. Eric did not know and was unable to give an explanation.
Dr. Phil further pointed out that he believed eating disorders were a sub category of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a mental health condition. Additionally, Dr. Phil stated, "80% of all 13 year old children have tried dieting."
Isolation
Eric observed that he has become isolated. He rarely participates in activities other teenagers do. His eating disorder has taken control of the family to where his younger brother is ignored by his parents. He no longer spends time with either of his brothers.
Dr. Phil remarked that men are less likely than women to break the silence about their eating disorders.
Troy's Eating Disorder
Well dressed, tall and very thin, Troy stated that, "I don't practice what I teach." He explained that weight, exercise and calories have taken over his life. He lost 45 pounds the past year, "gotten out of control."
Dr. Phil asked Troy to explain what happened. Troy replied that it, "Started out with small changes...gotten out of control...I know in my heart what's right and wrong...difficult game in my mind...I feel like I am out of control that's why I am doing this."
Both Eric and Troy wanted help to recover from their eating disorders and rigid exercise routines. Dr. Phil referred them to Rogers Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin, specializing in treating men with eating disorders. Recovery is possible.
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Source
Dr. Phil Show, January 8, 2008, 5 p.m., WMTW Channel 8, Maine, USA.
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