In the traditional sense, we reserve thoughts of body image issues for young girls and the influence of magazine models, however in Australia more and more men are becoming susceptible to poor body image and vulnerable to insecurity.
Body image refers to your thoughts, perceptions, imagination and emotions regarding your body, however it rarely has anything to do with your actual appearance. It can affect your mental health, and often leads to excess dieting, eating disorders and depression.
The fashion industry has for years been criticised for its portrayal of unrealistic body proportions and beauty standards for women. The impression that to be beautiful you must be tall and skinny with flawless skin has been widely linked to the rise of poor body image and low self-esteem among young girls worldwide.
In recent times however, it has been the increase in body image related cases in men that has proved a cause for concern. More than ever before, men are suffering the effects of social pressure and gender stereotypes leading to an increase in negative body image.
So what’s to blame for this sudden rise in poor body image?
CAUSES
Just like body image issues in women, there are a range of causes that may lead to negative self worth in men. The issue primarily stems from the stereotypical image of what it means to be a man. Mainstream media’s representation of the ‘ideal’ man have placed impossible image standards on impressionable, young boys.
The emphasis and elevation of sporting stars, particularly in Australia highlights our collective tendency to view tall, athletic and strong men as the norm. Attitudes like this can cause anxiety and self-destructive behaviours in boys, as they begin to question why they don’t look like their role-models.
This anxiety and low-self worth can be compounded by bullying and teasing from other children or adolescents. The idea that as a man you can be too thin or too weak is an attitude that widely accpeted but mentally damaging.
One element that is often talked about in male adolescence is peer pressure, and it plays a pivotal role in the formation of image attitudes. With a widely documented increase in depression and suicide among young males in Australia, there has been a push to encourage men to open up about their feelings. However this unwillingness to express emotion and vulnerability starts as a gender stereotype and grows into a habit as boys get older.
As a man, you are required to be tough, strong and impervious to sensitivity, a dangerous thought process that teaches young boys to hide their feelings and suffer in silence. When a young man feels sensitive about his body, it challenges the narrative of the ‘ideal’ man and can create further self-worth issues. Many boys feel as though they cannot express their concern, for fear of judgement or persecution, and this has a significant impact on mental health and body dysmorphia attitudes.
EFFECTS OF POOR BODY IMAGE IN MEN
Where the issue of body image is primarily centred around curbing eating disorders and excess dieting in women, the same can be said for men. Increasingly, more men are being treated for eating disorders than ever before, however it is inverse reaction that is uniquely male.
Poor body image in men has led to a rise in what is now known as ‘bigorexia’ or muscle dysmorphia. The term muscle dysmorphia refers to a specific subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD, a type of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Specifically, men who suffer from muscle dysmorphia become obsessed with the size of their muscles and have increased concerns about appearing physically weak or underdeveloped. Sufferers spend countless hours in the gym, dieting and comparing themselves to others, further compounding their already dangerous personal body image.
What starts out as a conscious decision to increase muscle mass inevitably turns, in many cases, to steroid abuse. So advanced is the steroid culture in Australia, that steroid abusers have now overtaken Heroin addicts as the main constituent of our needle exchange programs.
While not all body image-related issues in men will result in dangerous substance abuse or obsessive disorders like muscle dysmorphia, it is important to recognise the attitudes and stereotypes that cause illnesses like this are widespread.
TREATMENT
Poor body image in men is something that is rarely talked about and often ignored, particularly by sufferers themselves. Similar to the efforts surrounding men’s mental health, it is pivotal that schools, parents and workplaces have a greater push for openness and transparency for boys.
The conversation around body image and male stereotypes is one that should be started early, with a greater emphasis on promoting individuality and body positivity. By opening a dialogue early, boys can be encouraged to embrace the skin they’re in and remain open and honest regarding their self-worth.
For those currently struggling with body image issues, there are treatment options available. Sufferers of muscle dysmorphia are encouraged to go through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and speak with their doctor about potential medications. In many cases, the treatment for body image issues in men is no different than those in women, however the method of communication requires far more sensitivity.
Before a sufferer can even begin to overcome the issue, they must first overcome the stigma surrounding male stereotypes and what it means to be a man. If you are struggling with poor body image and aren’t sure where to turn, it’s important to remember you aren’t alone.
Speaking with someone who can point you in the right direction is key to beginning your journey back to body positivity. If you’re not quite ready to share these feelings with a therapist of family member, why not speak with someone in the same boat?
Share your story in one of our threads and help alleviate the burden of guilt. Work together with someone who has been through it before and find a meaningful solution for your problem. Start talking today.
Comments