Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body Dysmorphic Disorder

by Brian Cuban

Brian Cuban is a successful lawyer, activist and TV host is living with an enemy that haunted him for over 30 years – his own reflection in the mirror. Through a series of very personal, witty and poignant anecdotes, the younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban opens up about his personal battle with a mental disorder known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in which the sufferer is preoccupied with a distorted sense of self-image and is often afflicted with eating disorders, depression and addiction. In the book, Cuban illustrates the ongoing nightmare of (BDD) that has permeated his thoughts since childhood, taking the reader through the painful journey of childhood bullying over his weight, rejection and the behaviors that slowly developed as a young adult which took him into the abyss of depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, steroid abuse and eating disorders, nearly causing him to take his own life at the age of 44. He relates a rarely heard male perspective about the daily horrors of living with BDD. Despite career highs, Cuban fights through the shame that hinders so many BDD patients from speaking publicly. In Shattered Image, Cuban candidly speaks about his struggle with the disorder and shares his path to recovery taking the reader from the bullying and parental conflict of his youth deep into the abyss of clinical depression, anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, cocaine and steroid addiction to the high of his freedom of addiction and ongoing repair of his own shattered image.EDITORIAL "Having helped people learn to lose weight and keep it off for more than 25 years, I now believe Brian Cuban has had the courage to open an emotional door that will give both men and women a true understanding of how they perceive their body image and unlock that door for a lifetime of success!"Larry North, Healthy Living Lifestyle Expert, Bestselling Author of Get Fit and Living Lean “In a field strewn with myth and fiction, Cuban provides us with an absorbing account of his struggle with body dysmorphic disorder, giving a human face to a scientific problem. In my years of working in addiction medicine, I have seen that sometimes it is easier for a patient to realize the need to seek help when they see themselves in the stories of others; Cuban’s book is an important addition to scientific texts, and we are all the richer for it."Andrea G. Barthwell, MD, FASAM Past President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and Former Deputy Director of Demand Reduction, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy“Shattered Image is one man’s compelling and rare account of his long struggle with and recovery from body dysmorphic disorder. In my professional experience, BBD is a condition that is not often recognized, and I am thankful that Cuban is shedding light on the eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, depression and other psychiatric illnesses that can result from it.” Gerald A. Melchiode, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center "Shattered Image is infused with relentless resilience in the face of the eating disorders, addiction and despair often associated with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Brian Cuban's candid revelations of the human spirit's ability to overcome significant obstacles will strengthen and encourage all who are fortunate to read this page turner."Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC - President, Eating Disorder Hope “Brian Cuban tackles a subject nobody talks about with honesty, grace, and hope. This book will help countless people."Bob Beaudine, Author of the best-selling book The Power of WHO & CEO of Eastman and Beaudine

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Memoir

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 24, 2013

About the author

Brian Cuban, the younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner and entrepreneur Mark Cuban, is a Dallas-based attorney, author, and person in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. He is a graduate of Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Brian's debut thriller, The Ambulance Chaser, will be released December 7th 2021. Lawyer Jason Feldman is accused of the murder of a high school classmate thirty years prior. He becomes a fugitive from justice to find the one person who prove his innocence and save the life of his abducted son.

His previous, best selling book, The Addicted Lawyer: Tales of the Bar, Booze, Blow, and Redemption is an unflinching look at how addiction and other mental health issues destroyed his career as a once successful lawyer, and how he and others in the profession redefined their lives in recovery and found redemption.

Brian has spoken at colleges, universities, conferences, non-profits, and legal events across the United States and in Canada. His columns have appeared—and he has been quoted on these topics—online and in print newspapers around the world. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife and two cats.

Reviews

[Jenni Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian's story of overcoming is inspirational!

[Sonja Funakura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally thought the book would help me understand a male friend and his poor body image and self destructive behaviors towards his body. Little did I know the book applied to my own issues regarding depression and over eating. Some parts of the book are so moving and descriptive of what its like when hitting near the bottom, it left me breathless.

I came away with a respect for the Cuban family and the way they are there for each other, particularly Brian and his two brothers.

[Wendy Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. My eyes just glossed right over the words. As someone who also suffers with BDD, I can relate to a lot of Brian's struggles. However, I cannot relate to drug or alcohol abuse but still found his experiences interesting. I wish that he could have explained his recovery program in more detail, specific strategies that he used to overcome his BDD, but I got the gist. If you suffer from OCD, BDD, or drug and alcohol abuse, you would probably find Brian's story relatable.

[Troy Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Shattered Image, Brian Cuban takes you on a profoundly honest and painful trip into BDD. His story is both enlightening and incredibly inspirational. I actually purchased this book for everyone in my office. Brian's courage and honesty transcend BDD, and have applications to aspire to in anyone's life. I read a lot - this is one book I recommend strongly.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful

This book talks about serious common issues many if not all struggle with. Easy to read and relateable. Definitely recommend.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second of my "read 10 pages of a work related book at work" project, and I definitely found myself reading or wanting to read a lot more than 10 pages at a time, especially toward the end!

Brian Cuban does an excellent job of sharing his journey here. There is a ton of vulnerability and bravery at work, and I have to admire this man for sharing so much of his pain in a way that will hopefully offer hope and support to others. I've seen Brian speak once (at the BEDA Conference last year, where I got this book), and seeing him speak was certainly what compelled me to read this book.

The reason I hold back a star is simple: like with many books such as this, I found myself wishing he spent a bit more time on the recovery rather than so much time on the pain of being fully ensconced in addictions and BDD and Eating Disordered behaviors. But at the same time, I feel the book would have suffered had he cut anything out. So, like I often do, I wished it was just a bit longer.

What this book does extremely well is offer an unflinching look into how terrible eating disorders, addictions, and mental illnesses are. The Brian for much of the book was not likeable- he was engaged in a lot of behaviors that were extremely destructive and I cannot imagine it was fun to be around him. But what he does well is shine a light on the underlying reason for all those behaviors. And having met him, I do find him quite likeable now and in person. That he's willing to show so much of himself is a true gift.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shattered Image is a unique and important introduction to the world of dysmorphia. Cuban provides a rare look into the mind of a a male struggling with body image issues that have been predominantly associated with women. Add to this odd cauldron a mixture of addiction, depression and the stress of being a practicing attorney and it isn't hard to see what led Cuban to the verge of suicide.

Although the narrative is sometimes a little too clipped, seemingly more sketched than developed, these are minor criticisms when addressing a piece of work that is most certainly likely to save a life.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian takes us on a painful journey of how we developed and struggled with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. It is unique contribution to this struggle from a notable man...yes, a notable man who honestly reveals the influences: his own introverted personality, family dynamics, bullying, and the beliefs he chose as a result. I was enthralled from the first few pages. Towards the end, I wished for a little more about the actual things he did in recovery and how he restored his relationship with his mom. Great read! Highly recommend it!

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I began to realize that this was the way the world worked. There are no mirrors that judge you." Brian honestly and profoundly takes us with him on a brutally painful trip of self-discovery. His bravery in sharing this story will help us all understand better the mindset of a person with BDD. I highly recommend it for everyone. It will inspire you to keep moving forward and to be a better, kinder person.

[Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

this tale of struggle and overcoming hit me hard. at times, it was like reading a diary. other times, reading how much worse it could get was a nice reality-check. i think i will be lending this book out to someone when i need them to understand me better. Brian expressed it better than i can. Thanks Brian

[Patsy Crawford]

pre-ordered and received 10-26-2013