The False Image in The Mirror Created By The Mind: Body Dysmorphic Disorder

It was a little close to a couple of two weeks ago that I chose to do something I hadn’t done in a long time - Read the newspaper. My eyes skimmed through the headlines, till it stopped at one. It was at this point that my father asked me to read an article in the paper that was “meant for me”.

Meant for me? Considering the phrase came from my father, I concluded that the article he referred to here would be definitely related to social media. Lucky enough, the headline my eyes stopped at and the article my father was referring to, was the same. “‘Imagined Ugliness Syndrome’ affecting teens”.

Obviously, to begin with, I was in denial.

Reading through the article didn’t change my mind either. However, my inquisitiveness led me to do some follow-up research did reveal what many people – young or old – would be going through. Chances are, you or someone you know would be going through the same.

"What is this 'Syndrome' you speak about?"

First termed by Italian psychiatrist, Enrico Morselli, in 1891 as “Dysmorphophobia”, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a condition growing in prevalence among adolescents (however, it can occur at any age).

BDD is a mental disorder characterized by the obsessive idea of some aspect of one’s body to be severely flawed. Simply put, a person suffering BDD exaggerates the importance and presence of any bodily “flaw” they notice; at times, its presence is just imagined.

Most time is spent by looking at their reflection through a mirror. In order to achieve that “perfect look”, they excessively groom themselves or even spend excess time styling their hair. Imagination gets the better of them. It brings in shame, guilt and social anxiety. At this point, there’s one way to satisfy this shamefulness. Seeking the easy way out – Social Isolation. Obviously, parents and family don’t let you stay indoors. When forced to step outside, flaws are covered with heavy clothing. Camouflaging. Satisfaction through substance abuse as well as eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa follow shortly after. Shamefulness, guilt, anxiety leads to the next phase – Depression. These emotions do subside, hence bringing to a halt for self-harm and suicidal thoughts pop into their minds.

The medical world waves heartily to all. Cosmetic Surgery. Studies suggest that about 15% of those facing cosmetic procedures suffer from BDD.

"Well, How common is it?"

Internationally recognized BDD and conditions alike expert, Dr Katharine Phillips, stated that 1.7% - 2.4% of the general population face BDD. She suggests that at least one in a population of 50 people face this disorder. She further estimated that 5 million to 7 million people in the United States suffer from BDD. These percentages are higher than other disorders such as Schizophrenia; a prevalence rate of which is 0.33% to 0.75%!

With occurrences in any age, adolescents facing BDD are increasing in number with a prevalence rate being 4.8%. Reportedly, around 330 people commit suicide due to false perceptions of their bodies.

Social Media and The Selfie Culture

But what could be the reason behind the growing occurrence of this disorder? This could be attributed to neurological differences, genetics or childhood traumas. However, another factor is being attributed majorly to this prevalence; especially amongst adolescents. Social Media.

Once again, Social Media comes under fire. Never have Instagram models failed to zap the desires of attaining the perfect physique they behold into our minds. Sure, there are several pages on the app that promotes self-beautification in several ways. Sadly enough, their efforts are defeated by the professionally shot photographs of celebrities.

It is important to know that photographs of celebrities are captured by professionals and even edited to an extent which it isn’t really noticeable (Though this is highly debatable). However, there are several factors that photographers and models take advantage of to enhance photographs. For instance, lighting and shadows.

Sure, idolizing someone’s physique is harmless when just limited to ‘idolizing’. Better when you work towards achieving the physique idolized (healthily). However, leads to BDD when you constantly compare yourself to the model and shaming yourself for not carrying a body equivalent to the model.

The modern “selfie culture” can be blamed here. If you’ve ever posted a selfie online, you would have probably taken several other selfies only to filter them and choose the one you like the most. In your defence, you’d say “Well, I’m just trying to find the picture I like the most to post!”. Yes. I get what you’re trying to do. But the social media version of Hunger Games when it comes to selfies (or as I like to call it – The Selfie Games), holds the potential to cause a condition like BDD.

In an attempt to post the “perfect selfie” out there, after filtering several similar selfies, your focus is drawn to whatever flaw your brain designs on you. You would spend the rest of your day dwelling on the thought of having a large nose or a much bigger tummy than you actually have. If you don’t have belly fat, your brain perceives yourself to be skinny as a twig when you are not!

Too short? You focus on that. Have a unibrow that you don’t like? Have eyebrows you think are too thin? A smile too awkward for you? Well, you’ll end up spending the rest of your day dwelling on those thoughts because these are the “flaws” your brain exaggerates.

Constantly, you think about the exaggerated flaw and feel guilty and shameful of it, thus isolating yourself from society because you don’t want others to notice it too. As one thing leads to another, you now depict the effects of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. You may not face BDD just after one selfie photo shoot. However, we wouldn’t limit ourselves to only one photoshoot. Social media feeds are filled with multiple pictures of the owner. Therefore, thoughts on exaggerated flaws wouldn’t remain so uncommon.

Treatments to The Condition

But the story of this condition, like many others, does not end here for the medical and psychiatric world have offered remedies. As an antidepressant, doctors prescribe Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). While procedures in Cognitive Behavior Therapy help reduce the stress and anxiety as well as uplift social confidence.

Although such treatment procedures can be turned to for they are reliable, a more important act should be carried out. What is it, I hear you ask? This is the part where you - the reader – comes in.

If you suspect anyone facing BDD, comfort them. Avoid directly asking them if they are facing the condition – it would make them feel uncomfortable especially after hearing the word “Disorder” and would choose to remain in denial. Remind them that they are beautiful in their own ways. Be the pillar of support and cushion of comfort they need. Most importantly, if you’re an adolescent yourself talk about it to an adult – preferably their parents.

And, dear Reader, if you are guilty of your body, remember: You are beautiful no matter how your brain believes you look. Don’t keep the guilt concealed in you – talk to an adult and friend find comfort in. Talk.

And never forget, that this guilt and shame you feel is nothing but a false image in the mirror created by the mind.

S