![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mike84 on August 5, 2005, at 16:19:22
Do any males have OCD and are obsessed about their penis size?
Posted by ed_uk on August 5, 2005, at 16:44:48
In reply to Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by mike84 on August 5, 2005, at 16:19:22
>...obsessed about their penis size?
It's probably body dysmorphic disorder rather that OCD. BDD and OCD appear to be closely related. SSRIs are generally the most effective medication for BDD. As is the case with OCD, high doses may be required.
BDD........
'Preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance. If a slight physical anomaly is present, the person's concern is markedly excessive. '
Fluoxetine (Prozac) is frequently an effective treatment for MDD.
~Ed
Posted by spriggy on August 5, 2005, at 23:09:23
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by ed_uk on August 5, 2005, at 16:44:48
Oh. I thought it was just something all men were obsessed with.
LOL
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 5, 2005, at 23:53:53
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by spriggy on August 5, 2005, at 23:09:23
> Oh. I thought it was just something all men were obsessed with.
>
> LOLSorry, but please be sensitive to the feelings of others.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be supportive.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Declan on August 6, 2005, at 3:34:19
In reply to Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by mike84 on August 5, 2005, at 16:19:22
I have been wondering if I have OCD, but I wouldn't neccessarily regard my concern with the size of my dick as evidence of that. I think Spriggy is right, more or less, well what do I know, not a lot of people anyway. But you know, with due alteration and everything, what better kinds of things are there to concern yourself with?
Declan
Posted by med_empowered on August 6, 2005, at 11:04:25
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by Declan on August 6, 2005, at 3:34:19
Hey! Sorry about your obsession. But..I have to say that obsession with penis size in guys, like the obsession with weight in women, is probably due largely to cultural factors. Some studies (mostly done by sociologists, I believe...I'll look for specifics and try to get back to you) suggest that anorexia/bulimia are *largely* influenced by cultural definitions of "beauty". Although the research has focused primarily on women and adolescent females, logically definitions of beauty could affect men as well, though perhaps to a lesser degree. For example, one study focused on an island culture where exposure to television and other forms of mass-media from the US and Europe were minimal. As the island "progressed," television was introduced quickly and on a massive scale via satellite. Within a few years, the anorexia/bulimia rates shot up *exponentially*. Before television exposure became commonplace, anorexia/bulimia was extremely rare and largely limited to those who had serious pre-existing mental health/adjustmen issues (basically, it was secondary to other problems). It was also largely limited to the upper-classes, since the elite of the society were more likely to have exposure to television and live "modern" (read: US/European middle- to upper- class) lifestyles and values. As television penetrated all levels of society, eating disorder rates shot up *very* quickly, and there were more "normal" women developing these disorders, even in the absence of "major" mental health problems. So...I guess I'd say your problem probably isn't a disorder per se (although some shrinks *might* diagnose it as such); rather, I'd guess its a result of cultural definitions of what makes a "real man" and the resulting anxiety from trying to live up to those (exagerrated, often toxic) expectations. Maybe if you re-evaluate your own understanding of what "makes a man" (and what "makes a woman"), you'll have less anxiety regarding your penis size. I'd recommend looking into some sociological theory/research on gender roles and transferring the energy you use to obsess about your penis to pursue something more constructive...spirituality, volunteering, writing, meditating, reading, etc. Making friends and talking with people who don't "fit" with traditional notions of masculinity/feminity--lesbian women, gay/bisexual men, etc.-- would also give you some perspective on the issue, and be enlightening in other respects as well. Good luck!
Posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 11:20:17
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by med_empowered on August 6, 2005, at 11:04:25
Hi Med,
Another informative post by you! :-)
>So...I guess I'd say your problem probably isn't a disorder per se........
I guess it depends on how severe the obsession is. The boundary between a 'normal' obsession and BDD can be difficult to define.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by spriggy on August 6, 2005, at 13:02:40
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS » med_empowered, posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 11:20:17
Posted by SLS on August 6, 2005, at 15:29:36
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by med_empowered on August 6, 2005, at 11:04:25
Nice post, M_E.
Thanks.
I was very concerned with the size of my penis when I was younger. It would never have been an issue with me if society hadn't made it one. I never had OCD. I can only guess at how intense Mike's experience must be.
Mike:
Men come in all different sizes and shapes, just as women do. The penis is sexy, no matter what its size. Women have known this all along. Hopefully, you will be with those who are sensitive enough to give you this reassurance.
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 15:52:08
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by SLS on August 6, 2005, at 15:29:36
Hi Scott,
>I was very concerned with the size of my penis when I was younger.
Without medication, my penis seems abnormal. On citalopram 80mg, I can see that it's actually perfectly normal.
>It would never have been an issue with me if society hadn't made it one.
Very true. Society makes waaaay to much of a big deal out of penis size.
>Hopefully, you will be with those who are sensitive enough to give you this reassurance.
Definitely. Women who think penis size is the be all and end all are not worth going out with.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by linkadge on August 6, 2005, at 15:52:39
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by SLS on August 6, 2005, at 15:29:36
Not to sound like a total nerd, but actually thats never been something that concerned me.
My lack of concern is not based on any particular realiy about the matter, but growing up I guess I was too concerned about having a heart attack to worry about that.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 15:59:24
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by spriggy on August 5, 2005, at 23:09:23
>Oh. I thought it was just something all men were obsessed with. LOL
Naughty Spriggy got a PBC LOL!
A lot of men worry about their penis. There's a lot of pressure to live up to media stereotypes of attractiveness ie. thin women, big penises etc.
If mike84 spends several hours a day obsessing about his penis - that's a definate psych problem.
~ed
Posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 16:00:52
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by linkadge on August 6, 2005, at 15:52:39
>Not to sound like a total nerd, but actually thats never been something that concerned me.
I guess people obsess about different things. I used to obsess a lot that I'd stop eating and starve to death.
~Ed
Posted by linkadge on August 6, 2005, at 16:30:50
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS » linkadge, posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 16:00:52
Come to think of it, thats probably what influcences my oppinion more. I am in the closet. (Well I guess now I am out of the closet) SSRI's have been great in that regard. No sexual feelings is great for me since I can just tell my parents that I don't have any sexual feelings because of meds and then leave it at that.
What I'm trying to say is that SSRI's are great for numbing sexual obsessions of all kinds, but the bad news is that they numb sexual obsessions of all kinds. So if it can be dealt with, without a pill, you're better off.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 16:48:13
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by linkadge on August 6, 2005, at 16:30:50
Hi Link,
>I am in the closet
You're gay?
>No sexual feelings is great for me since I can just tell my parents that I don't have any sexual feelings because of meds and then leave it at that......
That reminds me. When I was about 11 my pdoc told my parents I was gay. They asked her whether I would grow out of it but she said 'no'. She was right. I'm kind of asexual most of the time though.
~ed
Posted by ed_uk on August 7, 2005, at 16:40:24
In reply to Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by mike84 on August 5, 2005, at 16:19:22
>.......obsessed about their penis size?
I bet your penis is normal. I know that probably doesn't help but it's true.
~Ed
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 8, 2005, at 9:46:00
In reply to sorry Dr. bob.. (nm), posted by spriggy on August 6, 2005, at 13:02:40
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 8, 2005, at 10:08:17
In reply to Re: Obsessed with my PENIS, posted by med_empowered on August 6, 2005, at 11:04:25
> I have to say that obsession with penis size in guys, like the obsession with weight in women, is probably due largely to cultural factors...
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding cultural factors to Psycho-Babble Social. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050805/msgs/539118.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.