We know that a notable number of industries, such as film, beauty, advertising, etc., capitalize on their consumers’ insecurities, but what is it that prompts those insecurities in the first place? Our distorted perception of what we should be and what the world sees us as gives rise to self-doubt, along with an all-consuming need to alter ourselves to fit into whatever mould society creates for us. Of course, this alteration comes at a price – it changes a lot more than just your physical appearance.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), also known as dysmorphophobia, is a mental disorder most common in teens and young adults. It causes a person to scrutinize their own physical appearance, fixate on imaged or unnoticeable flaws and do everything in their power to get rid of them. While this issue took root a few decades ago, the rapid increase in commercial accessibility over the last few years has drastically increased its consequences. According to The Recovery Village, about 2% of the general population suffers from BDD, with certain groups (such as women, young adults and people with previously diagnosed mental illnesses) being more deeply affected than others.
Demographically, this disorder has been reported to occur in people as young as 5 and as old as 80 years of age. Considering the range of age groups it affects, the damage inflicted by BDD is multifaceted, meaning that it not only impacts how the victim views their physical appearance, but may also impair their functionality. Whether it be in social situations, the workplace, or in the classroom, people suffering from BDD have a difficult time carrying out seemingly effortless tasks. The consequences of this obstacle then go on to create further problems in the personal life of the affected, such as their relationships and ability to interact with people wherever they go. This is one of the main reasons due to which people with BDD are often unable to hold (or even get) a job.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder may be caused by internal or external occurrences. Internal causes can be things such as a chemical imbalance in the brain or genetic mental disorders. External factors include brainwashing through advertising and social media, bullying, or having faced abuse at an early stage in life. With repeated exposure, it isn’t difficult for anyone to start believing false information to be correct, and for some people, their already low self-esteem only acts as a catalyst. And since the defects that people with BDD find in their appearance are either imagined or barely noticeable, the efforts made to “fix” them are fruitless, leading to them feeling even more frustrated.
It’s often difficult to detect BDD in clinical settings due to the symptoms being similar to those of other disorders. It is not uncommon for a person with BDD to also be diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Depression, generalized anxiety, or an eating disorder. The symptoms for these are quite similar to that of BDD which, at times, becomes confusing for even the patient themselves. For example, something that people with BDD may find themselves doing frequently is picking at their skin to make it “smooth”. This is one of the symptoms for BDD, but this behavior closely resembles that of a person suffering from Excoriation Disorder (also known as chronic skin-picking or dermatillomania), which is a form of OCD.
In the past few years, social media has become an essential part of almost every teen/young adult’s life. This makes up a huge chunk of the world’s population, and on any platform with this big an audience, perfection sells. Which is why every post that is made, every picture that is posted is first altered to remove whatever may be considered imperfect by the community’s standards. When repeatedly exposed to these altered images, people develop insecurities and begin to feel pressured to match the same standards – except, unlike the pictures that have been altered digitally, these people will try to alter their actual bodies. Plastic surgeons have even said that their patients sometimes bring in selfies with Instagram or Snapchat filters on them to show what they would like done to their body.
Bear in mind that not everyone who feels the need to conform to the standards set by social media has the same body type. Not everyone’s body can look a certain way. This means that when all those people with different body types push themselves to achieve the same look, it often results in disappointment. This can very easily lead to body dysmorphic behaviors, and is possibly the most major cause for the disorder.
For a person already suffering from BDD, the most common treatments are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). The former can be thought of as reverse conditioning of the mind, which means changing the way the patient thinks and behaves with regards to body image, while SSRIs are a kind of antidepressant. This form of treatment is riskier and may not have satisfying results.
However, for a person just beginning to notice symptoms, the problem may be avoided so that no extensive treatment is required. When someone is in a position where they can influence a large number of people, it is necessary that they understand the responsibility they hold. Prevention where possible is the first step in eradicating any problem of this nature, which in this case means replacing our current ideals with something more realistic. And while it may be difficult to undo years of conditioning, encouraging healthy behaviors is definitely a step in the right direction.
That said, serious mental illnesses should never be left untreated. It is important to know when you need help and seek it. If a person feels as if they are preoccupied with one or more of their perceived flaws to a point where it has started to impact their functionality, getting professional help can help them get their life back on track.
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