Symptomatic Correlation Between Muscle Dysmorphia

¶ … symptomatic correlation between Muscle Dysmorphia in male individuals with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and those same males associated with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Symptoms

Personality Disorders

Categories of Personality Disorders

122.3 Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder in Men

133.0 Research Questions and Methodology

133.1 Research Questions

It has been found that men have an issue with their appearance, a problem commonly associated with women. An increasing number of men in the society are in most cases concerned with the image of their bodies. Studies have indicated that dissatisfaction with the image of the body is on the increase. Many students from the men's side are encountering a lot of eating disorders for the reason of keeping up with the perfect image of the body of the society. "Dysmorphia" has been a major problem in the population of males (Morgan, 2008). Dysmorphia simply lays its focus on a body image "obsessional preoccupation." A person with such a disorder would see a section of their body as bad looking. This dissertation paper seeks to investigate the causal and symptomatic correlation between Muscle Dysmorphia in male individuals with OCD and those same males associated with OCPD.

In males this particular type of dysmorphia is referred to as muscle dysmorphia and has become a great issue. Muscle dysmorphia is a consequence of an obsessive compulsive figure or image of the tone of muscle of an individual. Having this disorder in an individual may lead that person to a point of going an extra step in forming the image the individual is looking for. These efforts cause danger to the body of that person like damaging the body mentally as well as physically (Chung, 2001).

2.0 Literature review

2.1 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder also referred to as OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder. People who have anxiety disorders cannot stop worrying. In Obsessive Compulsive Disorder individuals may have intense repetitive thoughts, images, or impulses that are frightening and seem very unusual. These are what are referred to as obsessions. Some typical obsessions include fear of germs, contamination, and dirt causing harm to yourself or others, also order or symmetry believing the idea that everything must be lined up or in the right position. To reduce anxiety caused by their irrational thoughts people with OCD perform ritualized actions they call rituals. This is known as compulsions that are also irrational and bizarre.

OCD is a mental disease that people think what they don't want to think about repetitiously. They have to make sure things go fine for several times because they feel anxiety, and counting number is hard for them, for they have to count it again and again. And also, they wash themselves often because they feel they are dirty while at the same time they feel anxious about it. This mental disease is appearing on men and should be fixed before they get worse (Morgan, 2008). Scientists still don't know why people get OCD disorders. They say it's from their parents, or mental problems from stress, but they don't know the exact cause for this disorder. Doctors mostly give them medicine, but OCD disorders can relapse if they don't get medicine. As for how the disorder could affect people as they age, we don't really know even for older men and adolescents what the prognosis is, given that some research suggests symptoms might decrease with age, and some other studies show they may get worse (Freeston & Ladouceur, 2003).

Some typical compulsions include checking over and over again on locks, switches, and other appliances, washing hands repeatedly, and constantly counting or arranging items. Performing these acts makes a person with OCD temporarily feel better, but there is no long lasting satisfaction or sense of completion after these acts are done. Usually they believe that something extreme or bad will happen if the ritual is not done. Both obsessions and compulsions are troubling and embarrassing so many people with this condition often hide their fears and rituals but can't stop acting on them (Freeston & Ladouceur, 2003).

Many people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions but only a few have either one or the other. To some people with this condition they are barely bothered, while others find these obsessions and compulsions to interfere dramatically on their lives. They find their selves spending a large amount of time each day in compulsive actions. Usually out of shame people with OCD avoid seeking treatment (Freeston & Ladouceur, 2003). Considering the fact that they are so good at hiding their problem, a lot of people with OCD don't get the help they need until the behaviors become great habits and are very difficult to change.

A frequent amount of time can pass between the beginning of symptoms and proper diagnosis and treatment. The actions that are occurring are extremely difficult to overcome! For example, one action that occurs is a compulsive behavior, which is something that a person must repeat over and over again. More behaviors include fear of dirt, germs, contamination, a desire to perform violence, and a responsibility for one's safety.

OCD can effectively be treated in a number of different ways ranging from psychotherapy to self-help and medication. The option that is best for a person depends on the person's situation and preferences. A type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be the most effective form of therapy in OCD for both adults and children. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves you to retrain your thought patterns and routines so that compulsive behaviors are no longer necessary.

One cognitive behavior therapy approach is called exposure and response prevention (Morgan, 2008). This type of therapy gradually exposes you to a feared object or obsession and teaches you healthy ways to cope with your anxiety. Learning all these new thoughts and techniques may take quite awhile also a lot of effort and practice. Therapy can also be taken individually, in family, or in group sessions. Many men have been found uncomfortable with the form which their bodies take and thus have resulted in activities which will make them have the body image they think the society wants. As a result of this, many men have been obsessed with funny behaviors as the failure to conform to these standards they think the society has set for them is really a humiliating affair.

There has been therefore many claims put forward by scholars of the effect that muscle dysmorphia has contributed to obsessive compulsive disorder in men. Previously it was the women who were thought to have these complications alone. Nowadays, men have found themselves in situations which have proved heard for them to come out of. This is an area where many other people have neglected and may not see the need in addressing the issue considering that it is an issue dealing with men (American Psychiatric Association, 2007). This is where the problem comes in. For a long time in our societies, men have not been given attention on such issues which have been considered as petty. However, there have been noticeable changes in men which need to be addressed concerning these disorders in our contemporary society which prompts the need for action to be taken.

Some psychiatric medications can also help control the obsessions and compulsions in OCD. Most of the time antidepressants are tried first. Anti-depressants can help with the treatment of OCD because it may help with increasing levels of serotonin, which you can be lacking when you have OCD. Some antidepressants that have been effective in treating OCD include Clomipramine (Anafranil), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Fluvoxamine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa). The medication that is best for a person depends on your own person's situation. The primary goal of using medication to treat OCD is to effectively control signs and symptoms at the lowest possible dosage.

2.1.1 Symptoms

Obsessions

Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress

The thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems

The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action. The person recognizes that the obsession thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion)

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly are what in most cases are compulsive. The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive (American Psychiatric Association, 2007).

2.2 Personality Disorders

On the other hand, Paranoid Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder are among the many personality disorders that are affecting many people today. A personality disorder is inflexible, maladaptive patterns of thoughts; emotions, behavior, and interpersonal functioning that are stable over time and across situations, and deviate from the expectations of the individual's culture. Men's anxiety in body dysmorphia has really been a matter that could be classified as one of these (American Psychiatric Association, 2007).

2.2.1 Categories of Personality Disorders

They are grouped into three different clusters.

i. Cluster A: The odd and eccentric includes the Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal Personality Disorders. The men in this category will in most cases appear eccentric or odd.

ii. Cluster B: The dramatic, emotional, or erratic cluster includes the Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders. The men in this group apparently are emotional, dramatic or even erratic iii. Cluster C: The anxious, fearful cluster includes Avoidant, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders. The men here will be found anxious or else fearful.

The necessary feature of Paranoid personality Disorder is a pattern of persuasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that there motives are interpreted as malevolent. This pattern begins in early adulthood and is present in everyday life. About 3% of the general populations display this disorder, which most frequently occurs in men. People with this disorder assume that other people will exploit harm, or deceive them, even if no evidence is present to support this expectation. They often feel that they have been deeply and irreversibly injured by another person even though there is no evidence for this. These individuals are also inattentive with unjustifiable doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of their friends and associates, whose actions are minutely scrutinized for evidence of adverse intentions (American Psychiatric Association, 2007).

Men with this disorder also are unwilling to confide in or become close to others because they fear that the problem they have concerning their muscle dysmorphia will be used against them. They read hidden meanings that are demeaning and threatening into benign remarks or events. Example: an individual with this disorder may misinterpret an honest mistake by a store clerk as a contemplated attempt to shortchange or may view an unexpected humorous remark by a co-worker as a serious character attack (Johnston, 1994). People with this disorder also persistently hold grudges and are unwilling to forgive the insults and injuries that they think they have received.

Minor insults stimulate major hostility, and these hostile feelings last for a long time. Many people with this disorder may be pathologically jealous. They are often suspecting their spouse or sexual partner is unfaithful with any sufficient justification or believe in infidelity of their close associates without enough proof. People with Paranoid Personality Disorder are very difficult to get along with. They in most cases develop problems with those they relate with closely. Although these individuals may appear to be objective, rational, and unemotional, they more often show a labile range of affect, with hostile, stubborn, and sarcastic expressions prevailing.

Because they lack trust in others, they have an excessive need to be self-sufficient and a strong sense of autonomy. These individuals do not take stressful situations very well. They may experience very brief psychotic episodes that can last from minutes to hours. The necessary feature of Schizoid Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings. This pattern begins by early adulthood and is present in everyday life.

Schizoid Personality Disorder is diagnosed slightly more often in men than women and may cause more impairment in them. People with this disorder appear to lack a desire for intimacy, seem uncaring to opportunities to develop close relationships, and do not seem to obtain much satisfaction from being part of a family or other social group. Such men prefer to spend time by themselves. They frequently appear to be socially isolated. They always choose solitary activities or hobbies that do not include interaction with others. They may have very little interest in sexual experiences with another person. These men have no close associates, confidants or friends leave alone a first-degree next of kin.

Unlike Paranoid Personality Disorder men with Schizoid Personality Disorder often seem unconcerned to the approval or criticism of others and do not appear to be bothered by what others may think of them. They assert that they seldom experience any strong emotions like joy or anger (Brown & Esther, 1989). They often display a constricted affect and appear cold and contemptuous. Yet, in those very unusual circumstances in which these individuals become at least temporarily comfortable in revealing themselves, they may reveal having painful feelings, particularly related to social interactions.

Researchers assert that Schizoid Personality Disorder should not be diagnosed if the pattern of behavior takes place exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia, a Mood Disorder with Psychotic Features, another Psychotic Disorder, or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder or if it is due to the direct physiological effects of a neurological or other general medical condition. Schizoid Personality Disorder could have increased dominance in the relatives of persons with Schizotypal Personality Disorder or Schizophrenia.

The necessary feature of Dependent Personality Disorder is a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that which leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation. This pattern begins by early adulthood and is present in everyday life. This disorder has been diagnosed most frequently in women than men. However, some other studies using structural assessments report similar prevalence rates among males and females.

Men with Dependent Personality Disorder have a big trouble making daily decisions. Example: What color shirt they should wear to work or if they should bring an umbrella with them. These things are all done in the effort of determining the image of the body they want to present to the society. These individuals tend to be submissive and allow other men to take the initiative and assume responsibility for most major areas in their lives. Many male adults with this disorder depend on a parent or a spouse to decide where they should live and, what kind of job they should have (Brown & Esther, 1989).

Adolescents boys with this disorder usually allow there parents or parent to pick out what they should wear, choose a school or college for them; pick out what men to associate with, and how they should spend there free time. Dependent Personality Disorder may occur in a person who has a serious general medical condition or disability. In such particular cases the problem in taking full responsibility should go further than what would generally be coupled with that condition or else disability.

Since men with Dependent Personality Disorders fear losing support or approval, they often have difficulty expressing disagreement with other men, especially those who are dependent (Johnston, 1994). As a result of this, these individuals feel so unable to function alone and will agree with things that they think are wrong. Individuals with this disorder have difficulty working on projects or doing things alone. They are convinced that they are incapable of functioning independently and present themselves as inept. However, they are likely to function adequately if given the assurance that someone else is watching and approving them.

When a close relationship ends such as a breakup with a lover or the death of a caregiver an individual with Dependent Personality disorder may instantly seek another relationship to provide the care and support that they need. They are often distracted with fears of being left to care for themselves. The necessary feature of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency (Barlow & Durand, 2006). This pattern begins in early adulthood and is present in everyday life. This disorder appears to be diagnosed about twice as often in males.

2.3 Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder in Men

Men with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder try to maintain a sense of control by paying attention to rules, trivial details, procedures, lists, schedules, or form to the extent that the major activity is lost. They are excessively careful and prone to repetition, paying a large amount of attention to detail and repeatedly checking for possible mistakes. These men are oblivious to the fact that other men tend to get mad or become annoyed at the details and inconveniencies that result from this behavior. These men leave there most important jobs for the last minute (Morgan, 2008). They may get so involved in making a project perfect that the project is never finished.

These men with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders show a large abundance of devotion to work and productivity which excludes time for leisure activities and friendships. They may keep postponing a delightful activity, such as a vacation, so that it may never occur. However, if they do take time off for leisure activities or vacations they feel very uncomfortable unless they have taken along some work for them so they won't "waste any time." They may go out with friends but only if it is a formally organized activity.

Men with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders are sometimes called pack rats. They sometimes are unable to throw out worn-out objects even if they have no sentimental value. Also, with these men, there sometimes can be a high concentration on house chores. They may be miserly and stingy and maintain a standard of living below what they can afford. They believe that spending must be tightly controlled to provide for future catastrophes. These men can also be very stubborn and rigid (Abramowitz, 2006). They are so concerned about having things done the right way that they have trouble going along with other individual's ideas.

3.0 Research Questions and Methodology

3.1 Research Questions

This methodology is designed to account for: 1) the common traits of those with muscle dysmorphia; 2) the signs and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia; 3) the causal and symptomatic correlation between Muscle Dysmorphia in male individuals with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and those same males associated with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD); 4) the side effects of these disorders; 5) the cure of a person with muscle dysmorphia.

3.2 Methodology

i. Secondary sources

I recommend extending this procedure of making significant research by the use of thick description to human disorder in books, magazines, newsletters and journals as a perfect methodology. Secondary sources provide substantial information on the issues surrounding obsessive compulsive disorders as well as personality disorders and how they interrelate.

Secondary sources help in getting a track record of the disorders in question and therefore act as a guideline for the person carrying out the research. They are useful in directing the research in the initial study to establish the foundation needed for the main study. These secondary sources have also been useful for comparison purposes in occasions where the research needs clarification on main points.