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Puking For Acceptance
briancuban.com — From Brian Cuban's blog. Eating disorders affect men too. Read to hear Brian's story.
MrPat8oHed- 319 diggs
- digg it
- prunch, on 09/30/2008, -3/+32I have to say ... I never would have thought this was an issue for men .... good read
- stignordas, on 10/01/2008, -0/+1I agree, and can honestly say this is the first account I've read. Well done.
- pentupentropy, on 09/30/2008, -4/+30I just never thought about it period. My problem is, being the complete arsehole I am, I lack sympathy or empathy in this situation for self induced diseases. I don't understand it, but if I actually paid it some attention, maybe I'd see a different side of things. So... maybe now I'll look into it. Good job.
- KMAC2580, on 10/01/2008, -1/+1It's not a self-induced disease. You don't wake up one morning, think you are fat, and decide to barf after you binge-eat because you are fat. Developing an eating disorder doesn't happen overnight, it takes years of low self-confidence and incidents that incite depression. A lot of women and men with eating disorders also suffer from depression and OCD, definitely not self induced diseases. When a young woman with an eating disorder looks in a mirror she doesn't see herself in the same way we see her. Eating disorders are very serious and always threaten the health of the person involved.
- cleric85, on 10/01/2008, -2/+3Please spare us. It is definitely self-induced, it is not genetic it is a mental weakness.
- skatoolaki, on 10/01/2008, -0/+2If the person suffers from other mental diseases that led them to an eating disorder, it is certainly not self-induced. Would you, then, say that someone who suffers from bipolar disorder has a self-induced disease? A diabetic is not accused of creating their illness; just because someone suffers from a mental illness rather than a bodily one does not mean they are to blame for their condition.
Mental illness is a very real "disease" and affects millions - it is also deadly; most end up in suicide. The stigma of mental illness is less than it was even decades ago, but judging by your comment, I see we still have a long way to go before people realize that a sickness in the head is just as real and perilous as a sickness in the body.
- KMAC2580, on 10/01/2008, -1/+1It's not a self-induced disease. You don't wake up one morning, think you are fat, and decide to barf after you binge-eat because you are fat. Developing an eating disorder doesn't happen overnight, it takes years of low self-confidence and incidents that incite depression. A lot of women and men with eating disorders also suffer from depression and OCD, definitely not self induced diseases. When a young woman with an eating disorder looks in a mirror she doesn't see herself in the same way we see her. Eating disorders are very serious and always threaten the health of the person involved.
- americanpyscho, on 09/30/2008, -2/+30It is not a "self induced"disease. It is the disease itself that compels a person to "self induce"
- ks136, on 09/30/2008, -1/+7Yes, the underlying cause of many eating disorders is an obsessive/compulsive disorder.
- Harper01, on 09/30/2008, -1/+7You don't see as many rail thin male celebrities as compared to female. The stereotypical "popular guy" is usually defined as buff, muscular and athletic. Although, skinny defines the hipster/punk generation. I guess everyone has a different perception of what is attractive.
- ks136, on 09/30/2008, -1/+7Yes, the underlying cause of many eating disorders is an obsessive/compulsive disorder.
- infinitexx, on 09/30/2008, -1/+25I'm with americanpsycho here, it is a disease because it is a psychological compulsion to do something harmful to your body. Nobody in their right mind exhibits bulimic behavior.
- algaeturd, on 10/01/2008, -0/+2I don't agree that it's a compulsion to 'do something harmful to your body.' Most people who suffer from it think in very short term and believe they're doing something 'helpful' to their body physically. It's more of a mindset of denial than it is one of self-destruction.
I think you're trying to compare it to cutting and self-mutilation where one finds comfort and relief in doing damage to their body. This is not one of those disorders.
This is one of self-image, one of compulsion for appearance and a disorder of denial.- infinitexx, on 10/01/2008, -0/+3It is a psychological disorder in that it's never enough. People die from bulimia due to dehydration. Just because someone thinks they're doing helpful doesn't make it so, I'm sure many of the mentally ill have reasons to justify inflicting harm upon themselves.
- algaeturd, on 10/01/2008, -0/+2I don't agree that it's a compulsion to 'do something harmful to your body.' Most people who suffer from it think in very short term and believe they're doing something 'helpful' to their body physically. It's more of a mindset of denial than it is one of self-destruction.
- lucy22, on 09/30/2008, -1/+22Bulimia is a complicated disorder. It has to do with self image, societal pressures and coping. It is how some people cope. It is not healthy, but alot of people are afficted with it.
Often you hear after purging, the person will say they feel relieved. The trick for psychologists is to help the person find better coping mechanisms.
It is hard to cure and long therapy. - Harper01, on 09/30/2008, -1/+13You don't see as many rail thin male celebrities as compared to female. The stereotypical "popular guy" is usually defined as buff, muscular and athletic. Although, skinny defines the hipster/punk generation. I guess everyone has a different perception of what is attractive.
- MrPat8oHed, on 10/09/2008, -2/+20I just think it's refreshing for a man to come out and say he's admittedly body conscious (or was) in a way that you don't hear about very much. Usually it's all about weight lifting and "bigger is better". Rarely is it perceived as "manly" to want to be thin.
Nice paradigm shift. - implicitmemory, on 09/30/2008, -2/+15Here is a great article about how males suffer from this disorder just as much as women do. A lot of this stems from how we perceive the perfect male or female should be. It's unfortunate that anyone would have to succumb to this. Praise to the author for bringing to light this topic. I'm sure there are a lot of men who suffer from this, but are afraid to admit it.
- seattlegirluw, on 09/30/2008, -0/+8Implicit,
It's good that this is getting press, but please be aware men don't suffer in the same numbers. Definitely, the number of men with body image disorders and, more severely, eating disorders is increasing significantly. But women's numbers are still staggering in comparison.
- seattlegirluw, on 09/30/2008, -0/+8Implicit,
- psud0, on 09/30/2008, -2/+16There's a lot of bulimia affected persons out there, but they do not ask experts for help.
- str1, on 09/30/2008, -2/+15I never realized men were having issues with this as well. Thanks for sharing.
- crazy4bass, on 10/01/2008, -2/+8Nope, never once crossed my mind.
- oceanghost, on 10/01/2008, -2/+9Ah! I've been saying this for YEARS! Even did a project on it my freshman year... FINALLY gets some recognition.
- reepax, on 10/01/2008, -0/+3and how many people saw your freshmen project? ... and now you understand where liberal arts majors get their false sense of accomplishments in classes
- m2garand, on 10/01/2008, -11/+6This is a choice not a disease, much like alcoholism and drug addiction. You choose to do it and you can choose to quit. It is an insult with people who have real diseases like cancer or Alzheimer's to call stuff like this a disease. I have no sympathy for people like this.
- NightVortez, on 10/01/2008, -4/+7Agreed, rich ***** don’t wanna eat? ***** her! Don’t eat! I give a *****!
- skatoolaki, on 10/01/2008, -3/+4You are wrong. The underlying mental illness that caused them to fall into the trap of an eating disorder or any other self-harm is the cause. Mental illness is just as real as bodily illness. Please do some research before you judge these people so harshly and erroneously for being sick.
- uskomaton, on 10/01/2008, -3/+2Blah blah blah
These people are ***** weak willed end of ***** story. - americanpyscho, on 10/01/2008, -0/+2Ineresting-if you look at the guys web site, he has recovered from the disease and is a successful attorney-what have you done in your life?
- uskomaton, on 10/01/2008, -3/+2Blah blah blah
- cleric85, on 10/01/2008, -2/+1Trying not to eat is psychotic, and proves that you have no control over your thought process. Maybe it is something to pity and feel sympathy.
- gobbstopp, on 10/01/2008, -1/+4one simple editing oversight led me to wonder for one brief second 'so men could get irregular periods from this, eh?'
- primordel, on 10/01/2008, -2/+5Someone get that girl a go-cart
- machocheese34, on 10/01/2008, -0/+6***** you, two of my friends died go-karting
- all4thelulz, on 10/01/2008, -1/+2sad ***** is that society push people to that limit and if you disagree just ask people the ideal body size most of the time its about this same size
- compson13, on 10/01/2008, -1/+5as much as i wanted to respond to m2garand, instead i'm just going to remind people that years ago elton john admitted that he suffered from an eating disorder, as did billy bob thornton, dennis quaid, and the guy from silverchair. it's not as recognized as with women because male body dysmorphia most often manifests itself through working out or other "socially permissible" (aka easily hidden) activities.
- verbaldouching, on 10/01/2008, -1/+3Only crosses my mind after a big drinking session, followed shortly by it crossing the toilet seat.
- thealsir, on 10/01/2008, -2/+6Yep, dealt with a guy who suffered from this....certainly not "self-induced." This requires extreme pressure, social rejection, etc. combined with a low-self-esteem body image.
People who say this stuff is self-induced make me want to throw up. - cleric85, on 10/01/2008, -5/+4If it crosses a person's mind to puke after eating, it was their idea and decision. If they cannot handle society's widely accepted scrutiny they should become a recluse for their own health. Survival of the fittest is a bitch.
- AchaIemoipas, on 10/01/2008, -0/+1Congrats, you have the moral fiber of a reptile.
By the same logic, schizophrenics should just stop being so schizophrenic.
And kids who do bad at school should be excluded from it.
And you should be excluded from the internet. Hey, maybe you're on to something.- cleric85, on 10/01/2008, -0/+1A split personality compared to thinking your fat and throwing up food(to want to be pretty)? Depression would have been a better comparison. Make no mistake there is a choice involved here, the moment they purge on junk food and stick their finger down their throat or control their gauge reflex. Schizo's don't have a choice.
- AchaIemoipas, on 10/01/2008, -0/+1Of course they do. Haven't you seen a beautiful mind?
They have the same choice. And so do all severe drug addicts.
And schizophrenia and split personnality disorder are two and very different things. - cleric85, on 10/01/2008, -0/+1Okay doing further thinking, I take back the survival of the fittest comment. Bulimia is a choice. Anorexia is a disease/disorder. I feel bad for them, but it is very hard to comprehend this happening. America is more worried about money or gaining too much weight. I always forget split personality and schizophrenia are different, I always recall from psychology class schizophrenia means split mind, which throws me off. I admit I was wrong, snide, and ignorant.
- AchaIemoipas, on 10/01/2008, -0/+1Congrats, you have the moral fiber of a reptile.
- Doomsan, on 10/01/2008, -1/+2beauty hurts
- jmpeagle, on 10/01/2008, -1/+2lots of wrestlers have problems with this in order to make a weight class
- sKiLLa182, on 10/01/2008, -0/+4From the Brian Cuban who's banned from digg? That Brian Cuban?
- skatoolaki, on 10/01/2008, -0/+3I can't understand why or how people think this illness is "self-induced". More often than not, an eating disorder - or any other self-harm/addictive problems - are the result of underlying mental illness. To say a person is "making it up" or "doing it to themselves" is to belittle the millions that suffer daily with diseases of the mind - that are, I am here to tell you and medicine & science are here to back me up - very *real*.
No one accuses someone with cancer or diabetes of "doing it to themselves". Then why do we accuse those suffering with mental illness of such? Just because an illness is in the mind rather than the body makes it no less real or perilous. - BoonTobias, on 10/01/2008, -2/+2everyone who does ***** like this should be shot in the face point blank, better yet, they should be locked in a cell without any food for a week or two, then they'll understand the value of the availability of food that is taken for granted
- americanpyscho, on 10/01/2008, -0/+3Dont you have a mall or a school yard to stalk today?
- cleric85, on 10/01/2008, -0/+1lol I said survival of the fittest, but at least I feel bad for these people. Like watching an animal attack video, some helpless victim people mauled by a bear, but ***** it is nature, who am I to stop it.
- uskomaton, on 10/01/2008, -2/+2Blah blah blah
These people are ***** weak willed end of ***** story - Hetman, on 10/01/2008, -1/+3People need to realize it is a psycological disorder. So it can affect both males and females. It is that simple.
- inthedoghouse, on 10/01/2008, -1/+2Societal pressures can really be hazardous to your health. Peer pressure is present in all stages of life. Learning to love yourself is a must in a world that will work to tear you down.
- stignordas, on 10/01/2008, -1/+2It takes guts to write a piece like this. Thank you.
- aerobroken, on 10/03/2008, -0/+1nice share...
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