Interesting research

[judith_s]

I've heard of body dysmorphic disorder, where people who are anorexics see themselves as much larger than they really are. But it turns out, it's not just that. Anorexics couldn't sketch a simple object they had felt but not seen. They couldn't approximate the shape of the object while blindfolded. They couldn't estimate the size of an object using calipers. Apparently, their right parietal cortex, which helps to integrate the various senses was active, but not able to adequately process the information coming from the hand they couldn't see, according to this article.

This cries out for a real study.

Comments

[lusty.livejournal.com]

This is very similar to anecdotes I've been reading in The Brain That Changes Itself. There's some amazing work going on in neuroscience these days. Every single time I sat down to read a bit more of this book, I ended up telling everyone around me how amazed I was by the latest bits I'd read. It's cool and inspiring; highly recommended.

[kawgirl.livejournal.com]

That's a book that I've been meaning to read. I've heard really good things about it.

There are also interesting studies about people who are losing weight but do not perceive it when they look at themselves. In fact, many perceive that they are actually gaining weight. I think there are at least a couple studies out or en process about that type of body misperception.

[malabar.livejournal.com]

I have trouble doing most of the above, but I'm not anorexic (though possibly have some other eating disorder); wonder what crossover there might be between visual processing problems & eating disorders? Hmmm.... real food for thought.