For a few minute let’s peel our eyes from the “exclusive last photo!”, the “rare, behind the scenes footage!” and time-lapse photographs of Michael Jackson’s nose. Instead, let’s look at the horrific progression of untreated mental illness.
I am not a doctor but I don’t need a degree to see that Michael was mentally ill. Addiction, anorexia, depression, pedophilia? Maybe. Body dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Definitely. What is this?
Preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance. If a slight physical anomaly is present, the person’s concern is markedly excessive. The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder often pursue and receive general medical, dental or surgical treatments to rectify their imagined defects. Such treatment may cause the disorder to worsen, leading to intensified or new preoccupations, which may in turn lead to further unsuccessful procedures, so that individuals may eventually possess “synthetic” noses, ears, breasts and hips, which they are still dissatisfied with. (DSM-IV)
Michael Jackson was not a freak, he was a very sick man. I do not understand how any surgeon could continue carving Michael’s face without recognizing that Michael might suffer from BDD. Just because Michael had the money and the surgeon had the skill does not make it right or ethical. Wasn’t there anyone in his life - family, friends, physicians - who were willing to intervene - even if it took a court order?
Michael is not alone. There are many people who suffer from BDD - especially here in Palm Beach. These are the women with faces you cannot stop looking at. Skin so taught it looks like it will burst. Eyes pulled so tight that the women look Asian. Tiny button noses. Huge lips. Where is the line between quiet, enhancing cosmetic surgery and maiming? Why aren’t we blaming cosmetic surgeons for their role in this illness?
I admired Michael as an artist. I feel pity for him today. And I have no respect for the doctors who indulged and encouraged his mental illness.
formerly known as dysmorphophobia, an excessive preoccupation with real or imagined physical defects. The illness often begins in adolescence and affects women more than men. It has a drastic impact on quality of life and often leads to social phobia. It has a suicide rate twice that of depression.
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“Wasn’t there anyone in his life - family, friends, physicians - who were willing to intervene - even if it took a court order?”
The people who tried to intervene were cut out from his life. “Money speaks with an eloquence only Shakespeare could envy.”
The very ill often cut family from their lives. That is why there are involuntary commitments - when a person is a threat to himself of others a judge can commit them. It is a tough decision but it can save a life.
I can’t stand looking at his freakish, demonic face, behavior, gyrations–everything about him is beyond mentally ill–him and his whole family make me sick–I am sorry but– get behind me Satan.
Those who question all this need to get educated. It is an illness — just like anorexia or bulemia. People look in the mirror and see fat when they are skinny. Even when they are a skeleton — they still see fat. My mother told me NEVER to stare at anyone or hurt their feelings. Most people who have these issues — their condition is worsened by ignorant and calloused people. If that is you…. you deserve to fall ill to this or something worse. The world needs less of people who are calloused.
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Site last updated: 7 Nov 2009
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