What Is Dysmorphophobia?
There are certain syndromes, disorders and diseases which are not very well known. Sometimes the people who suffer from them do not even know that they have them. Their symptoms remain unnoticed due to lack of attention. Today we will discuss an important disorder that is more common than we think. Body dysmorphophobia.
What is dysmorphophobia?
It is characterized by an exaggerated concern about one’s body and appearance. Usually the person spends a lot of time engaging in behaviors that control how the body looks. The symptoms typically become more intense when the individuals feel that they are being observed.
Many of their actions are repetitive actions, such as constantly examining oneself in the mirror. They care for themselves in an excessive way, comparing themselves to others. They hide the body parts they are not happy with and which they think are ugly.
According to a study by the Spanish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SECPRE), the number of people in Europe and America who suffer from dysmorphophobia is increasing. Their symptoms are considered “socially accepted” or “normal” , and therefore they are not considered pathological.
This syndrome makes people feel and perceive themselves as “very ugly”. Although it does not fit. The parts of the body that are most often a problem are: skin, hair, nose, eyes, chin, lips or other body parts such as knees, legs and chest.
A 30,000- person survey in the United States, published in Psychology Today, said 93% of women and 82% of men in the study were concerned about their physical appearance. They worked every day to improve and to feel good.
Most patients with this syndrome are young and there are quite a few more men than women. Studies confirm that it begins in adolescence when the individual is more concerned about their self-image, feels more observed and has a more active social life. It is typically at the age of 17 that the symptoms start.
Many of these young people go under the knife, even though dysmorphophobia is a mental problem, not a physical one. Because of this, dr. Gustavo Bustamente, PhD. in psychology that many of these people who get plastic surgery will never be satisfied with the result.
What causes dysmorphophobia?
Society goes more into appearance than intelligence and forgets the “inner” beauty.
It is possible that the disease comes from two different places. Psychologically and biologically. In biological terms, the explanation stems from a specific genetic predisposition for mental illness and an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters. Psychologically, excessive self-awareness stems from a lack of self-confidence.
How is it diagnosed?
The main symptoms for detecting this disease are abnormalities in routines or in basic activities, such as:
- Avoiding social activities with many people
- Self-harm, which stems from dissatisfaction with their body image. It justifies for them to get plastic surgery, which in theory should help them overcome this misconception.
- Spending a lot of time on topics about the body that they think they have a problem with and can not find a solution to.
What is the treatment?
Finding the psychological root of the problem is the first and most important step. From there, individuals can work to increase their self-confidence and accept themselves as they are. Both physically and mentally.
The support of friends and family is also important. Relatives can help by nurturing the inner talents of the person struggling with this disorder.
Love is for all disorders, syndromes and pathological conditions, the most vital, healthy, beautiful and accessible antidote. This must be supplemented with psychological treatment. Giving a lot of love to that person and showing our unconditional support will help a lot.
