CW: Contains references to body dysmorphia, weight loss, weight gain and exercising.

MAEVE MADDEN, ONE of Ireland’s most prominent influencers, got real about body dysmorphia on the ‘gram this week.

The personal trainer and author explained how recent comments about her appearance prompted her to think about how she used to view her own body.

“‘I remember you when you were ‘Slim Jim!’” Who am I now then?” she said, referring to comments she’s received in the caption of her post.

“If only you knew just how far I had come on my journey [...] Maybe you would think twice about commenting on another person’s weight [...] would you even recognise me in this picture?”

Madden explained how, prior to her 12kg weight gain, her body dysmorphia was a constant source of anxiety and exhaustion for her.

My poor tiny body [...] The stress and pressure I put it under, it breaks my heart.”

Madden finished by saying it’s taken “some painful years” to feel comfortable in her own body. And despite missing out on work opportunities as a result of her weight gain, she’s happier than ever now.

What is body dysmorphia?

Those suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) think about their real or perceived flaws for hours each day. They can’t control their negative thoughts about their body image.

People with BDD can dislike any part of their body, although they often find fault with their hair, skin, nose, chest, or stomach. In reality, a perceived defect may be only a slight imperfection or nonexistent. But for someone with BDD, the flaw is significant and prominent, often causing severe emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning.

BDD most often develops in adolescents and teens, and research shows that it affects men and women almost equally.

“There’s a lot of pressure when you’re in the public eye,” Madden previously told Independent.ie. ”I’ve a great following and great support, but comments like that make you re-think things.”

If you would like more info on BDD, you can do so by clicking here.

Support

Bodywhys: Helpline 1890 200 444 or alex@bodywhys.ie

DailyEdge is on Instagram!