It is no secret how much pressure women are under to look good or even perfect. Women are being plagued with anorexia and bulimia in an attempt to look like celebrities or fashion models. I have also seen more women becoming addicted to plastic surgery.
However, problems with body image in males and females seem to be on the rise throughout the world. Men are being tormented by something that has been referred to as “reverse anorexia” or “manorexia”. Those terms refer to the pressure men are feeling to workout incessantly in order to look like Greek gods or male models. While women are trying to slim down and lose weight, many men are trying to bulk-up and add muscle mass.
There is nothing wrong with trying to shape up and look more appealing unless time spent in the gym or plastic surgery starts to consume or interfere with everyday functioning. Addiction to exercise is much like other addictions in that the person has difficulty abstaining from it even when it becomes unhealthy. Exercise duration is not the only thing plaguing men, steroids and nutritional supplements are playing their fare share as well. More men are starting to take steroids and other supplements that are doing more harm than good just so they can improve their physical appearance or stamina.
As far as men’s body image concerns rivaling women’s, I don’t think there is really a way to quantify that information to come up with an accurate answer. However, body image concerns in men and women are definitely beginning to equalize in this day and age, more so than years past.
Whether you are male or female, if you are struggling with body image problems, it is imperative to seek help before it gets out of hand. Counseling for body image problems can help in overcoming eating disorders whether you are overeating, malnourished or fixated on unhealthy diets. It can also assist people to overcome addictions to exercise and plastic surgery. In short, it can teach people how to live physically and psychologically healthy lives.