Is It A Eating Disorder If Someone Were Average Weight But Saw Themselves As Really Skinny (Like They Think They Look Like A Skeleton With Skin), So They Try To Gain Weight But Are Failing Miserably, And Have No Idea What To Do…

Hi: What You Are Describing
Amy Colwell – 04/27/2012 – 19:53

Hi:

What you are describing sounds a little to me like an illness called body dysmorphic disorder.

Individuals with this condition become overly focused on some aspect of their physical appearance, or on an imagined physical defect. If a slight physical abnormality does in fact exist, then a person with body dysmorphic disorder will exhibit unrelenting and excessive concern.

The preoccupation with appearance takes over the life of someone suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, and causes them considerable anxiety and distress. Body dysmorphic disorder prevents a person from normal social functioning and may interfere with other aspcts of their life. Left untreated, the disorder may become a chronic condition. There is professional help available for anyone suffering from body dysmorphic disorder.

The best way to determine whether or not the situation you are describing is actually body dysmorphic disorder would be to visit a doctor, who would be able to offer you an accurate diagnosis.

Although the issue involves weight gain and food, it does not sound like one of the more usual eating disorders. However, body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders do actually have quite a lot in common, especially regarding symptoms such as an obsession with physical appearance and food control.

I hope this helps a little. Please take care.

Amy