Conditions
[DCM* 100.1]
Exhibitionism
Celebrities with an exhibitionism disorder tend to favor halter tops, tattoos, even bare feet. Often
(e.g., Paris Hilton, Rob Lowe) seen more memorably in amateur films than in professional ones.
Example: Britney Spears
[DCM 100.2]
Dissociative Behavior
Celebrities with dissociative-behavior disorder tend to behave in outlandish ways with no knowledge
that others perceive their acts as out of the ordinary. Most often seen in megastars with extensive entourages.
Example: Tom Cruise
[DCM 100.3]
Inappropriate Romantic Partners
Celebrities who take inappropriate romantic partners only occasionally develop a sense of guilt and remorse,
except (e.g., Hugh Grant) when a mug shot is involved.
Examples: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie,
Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn
 |
[DCM 100.4]
Body Dysmorphism
Body dysmorphism often develops in celebrities due to excessive media attention to secondary sexual characteristics
(breasts, buttocks). The subsequent weight loss can be accompanied by guilt when the media focus on the celebrity’s extreme
thinness, and on the bad example being set for the nation’s children.
Examples: Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan, Mary-Kate Olsen
* Diagnostic Celebrity Manual
Root Causes
[fig. 1]
Paparazzi Run-ins
In recent years, as fees for photographs have escalated, paparazzi have become more aggressive
and predatory. Stars are beginning to fight back.
Example: Cameron Diaz
 |
(Photo: Richard Wolffe/Wire Image) |
[fig. 2]
Limited Social Circles
Celebrities most often associate with other celebrities (indeed, this is one of the classic indications of narcissism), which exerts a distorting influence on their
worldview and creates enormous competitive anxiety.
Examples: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon
 |
(Photo: Bauer-Griffin) |
[fig. 3]
Asocial Freedom
The absence of adult responsibilities or any
normative pressures often leads to dissociative behavior
(e.g., couch-jumping), outlandish
costumes (e.g., pajamas), and plain freakishness.
Example: Michael Jackson
 |
[fig. 4]
Tabloid Incongruity
The tabloids present a view of the celebrity world
that is authoritative, though often not
factually accurate or even internally consistent.
Examples: Us Weekly, People
 |
(Photo: Wire Image) |
[Celebrity Therapy]
Gwyneth and Baby
As the celebrity system has evolved, celebrities more
and more are learning to control it. This mock paparazzi shot, of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin happily leaving her gynecologist’s office, was actually taken by her brother’s girlfriend and sold to the tabs.