The Eating Disorder Bell Jar

Everyone has a friend, lover, or family member who obsesses a bit too much over how they look. In fact, most of us do. We tend to regard these people as "dramatic." We might even say that they have "self-esteem" problems. But a new study suggests that there is more at play than just poor self-esteem.

Researchers in Germany recently conducted studies that suggest that an actual warping of physical appearance happens in the minds of people who constantly think of themsevles as "fat" or "unattractive."

The study concludes that approaching these mental warpings first may be essential to transcending the dangers of eating disorders and serious depression or anxiety caused by such "fun-house mirror" images of the body.

With the recent boom of films like The Secret and What the Bleep, we are certainly aware of the interaction between consciousness and reality. We can create glorious realities, perhaps, with our minds. Such studies demonstrate that our most pressing issues, however, demand that we also reverse the negative thought-patterns surrounding our self-images. If positive spiritual creation is limitless, then we should recognize that so is its shadow side.