Is there such a thing as the opposite of anorexia?

Jerry Sullivan2 said:But what kind of psychologist are we even talking about, and where would they go? "Psychologist" is such a broad term, isn't it? Are we talking about a school counselor? If she goes to a clinic or a hospital, they might run some psychological testing... but then what? What comes after that?
Which specific specialists actually deal with eating disorders?

Besides, if I'm not mistaken, a distorted body image can sometimes veer into psychotic territory. And once you hit that point, I guess it’s no longer just a job for a standard psychologist.

Just get her to a psychologist first. Let them do their thing and point her in the right direction if she needs more help. That’s how the whole system works anyway.

Look, if you’ve got a warped perception of your own body, you're drifting into psychosis territory. Once that happens, a standard therapist isn't gonna cut it anymore. You need real help.

A lot of stuff can take on psychotic elements, but honestly, it doesn't have to. 🙂

So, you’re suggesting that just any random person with a psychology degree is actually qualified to assess someone whose mental state has drifted outside the bounds of normal functioning.

(I mean, if someone is significantly overweight yet remains absolutely convinced they are thin—and can't rationally grasp that they aren't, or even that watching their weight might be a good idea—that isn't exactly a standard perception of reality, I suppose)

Don't you think that role should probably be reserved for, say, a clinical psychologist, or perhaps someone with specialized training in counseling?
Or does finishing a general psychology program automatically make one qualified for that kind of work (and for working with people in general, for that matter)?

Jerry Sullivan2 said:So, you’re suggesting that just any random person with a psychology degree is actually qualified to assess someone whose mental state has drifted outside the bounds of normal functioning.

(I mean, if someone is significantly overweight yet remains absolutely convinced they are thin—and can't rationally grasp that they aren't, or even that watching their weight might be a good idea—that isn't exactly a standard perception of reality, I suppose)

Don't you think that role should probably be reserved for, say, a clinical psychologist, or perhaps someone with specialized training in counseling?
Or does finishing a general psychology program automatically make one qualified for that kind of work (and for working with people in general, for that matter)?

I’ve scheduled an appointment with a psychologist who works at a hospital but also maintains a private practice. I am hopeful they will be able to help.

Jerry Sullivan2 said:So, you’re suggesting that just any random person with a psychology degree is actually qualified to assess someone whose mental state has drifted outside the bounds of normal functioning.

(I mean, if someone is significantly overweight yet remains absolutely convinced they are thin—and can't rationally grasp that they aren't, or even that watching their weight might be a good idea—that isn't exactly a standard perception of reality, I suppose)

Don't you think that role should probably be reserved for, say, a clinical psychologist, or perhaps someone with specialized training in counseling?
Or does finishing a general psychology program automatically make one qualified for that kind of work (and for working with people in general, for that matter)?

Hell no.

(because being overweight while being convinced you're skinny—and being unable to grasp the reality that you need to watch your weight—isn't a normal way to perceive things)

That's called body dysmorphia.

Shouldn't that be handled by, say, a clinical psychologist or someone with specialized counseling training? Or does anyone with a basic psychology degree automatically get a pass to handle stuff like this (and work with people in general)?

Obviously they should, but I don't get why you're even asking me. In this specific case, you need someone who actually specializes in body image and eating disorders. That matters way more than whether they focused on clinical vs. counseling psych...

Just Google "body dysmorphic disorder" and see how much of that actually hits home for you. Basically, it’s this thing where what YOU see in the mirror doesn't even match reality...

There's tons of info online about it too, like definitions, symptoms, and treatment options, so hopefully that helps you out.

irongardener14 said:I’ve scheduled an appointment with a psychologist who works at a hospital but also maintains a private practice. I am hopeful they will be able to help.

I’m certainly rooting for you too🙂

best of luck 👋

Harold Anderson3 said:I’m certainly rooting for you too🙂

best of luck 👋

Thank you. 🙂

Quincy:

I am currently observing several discussions regarding the recent shifts in local economic policy. It appears that many individuals are attempting to find clarity where none exists, often leaning on anecdotal evidence rather than hard data. While I respect the passion displayed by some contributors, one cannot help but notice a certain lack of rigor in the arguments being presented. It is quite an exercise in futility to debate nuances when the fundamental premises are so frequently misunderstood. Still, I shall continue to monitor the situation with my usual level of cautious skepticism. As requested: Just Google it.Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a particularly exhausting psychological hurdle to navigate. It isn’t merely "vanity" or a simple preoccupation with one's appearance; rather, it is an unrelenting, obsessive fixation on perceived flaws that others often cannot even see. One finds themselves trapped in a loop of hyper-fixation, where a minor imperfection becomes a monumental catastrophe in the mind's eye. The mental tax of such a condition is significant. It demands an immense amount of energy to perform the daily rituals of checking, hiding, or avoiding social interactions to mitigate the anxiety caused by these imagined irregularities. While modern psychology offers various therapeutic avenues—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—the process of retraining a brain that insists on seeing distortions is rarely a linear path. It requires a level of patience that many find difficult to muster, especially when dealing with the internal critic that refuses to be silenced.Take a look at how closely that aligns with what you’re experiencing. In principle, it is a disorder where what we perceive in the mirror bears absolutely no relation to our actual physical appearance. There is an abundance of information available online regarding this matter—ranging from formal definitions to specific symptoms and various treatment options. I trust you will find it useful.

I believe I have finally found it. This seems to be the answer. It aligns perfectly with my own behaviors and symptoms. Thank you. 🙂

So I’m standing there at 5'9" and about 265 lbs, thinking I look totally fine—like, I don't even look fat in my own bathroom mirror

But man, I get a total reality check when I walk into a department store or see some random unedited photo online

I look like an absolute MONSTER 😱

jadewolf16 said:So I’m standing there at 5'9" and about 265 lbs, thinking I look totally fine—like, I don't even look fat in my own bathroom mirror

But man, I get a total reality check when I walk into a department store or see some random unedited photo online

I look like an absolute MONSTER 😱

Man, you really need to get checked out. 😁