Body dysmorphia impacts about 2.4% of all adults in the United States. It’s a mental health condition that causes someone to perceive a flawed appearance in themselves. While many people think body dysmorphia is always about weight, it can be any physical flaw that someone sees when they look in the mirror — a flaw that isn’t really there or is very minor.
Someone with body dysmorphia can only see that flaw, or they might blow it out of proportion in a way that no one else would recognize.
As you might expect, the constant obsession with appearance and any perceived flaws can take up a lot of time, and can end up completely controlling a person’s life and well-being.
Let’s take a closer look at what body dysmorphia is, including some of the common signs and symptoms and what you can do if you’re struggling with it.
What Do People Focus On?
People with body dysmorphia can become preoccupied with just about any area or specific part of their body. Some might look in the mirror and not like anything they see. Others might focus on one area or feature that seems to stick out to them — even if it doesn’t to other people.
The face is one of the most common areas those with body dysmorphia focus on. It’s easy to see and examine quickly, so it’s not uncommon to judge blemishes, wrinkles, nose size, and everything in between.
Others might focus on hair, skin appearance, breast size, muscle size, or even genitalia.
A lot of these common areas of focus stem from what we think we should look like from a societal perspective. Body dysmorphia can easily come from comparison issues and a desire to look like someone else or to fit a societal beauty standard.
What Are the Signs?
Looking in the mirror from time to time and not necessarily liking every feature doesn’t mean you have body dysmorphia. We all go through phases where we might not be thrilled about our weight, or the wrinkles forming around our mouths. Body dysmorphia takes things to the extreme.
Some of the common signs of this condition include:
- An extreme preoccupation with a perceived physical flaw
- A strong belief that you have a defect that makes you deformed
- Attempting to hide your flaws
- Perfectionism
- Avoiding social settings
Those with body dysmorphia are often preoccupied with covering up their flaws or changing the way they look. That might be something as simple as dressing a certain way or putting on a lot of make-up.
It can also go to extremes. It’s not uncommon for someone with this disorder to have multiple cosmetic surgeries or to lose a lot of weight. Unfortunately, these extreme measures rarely satisfy the person. They might constantly seek reassurance from others about their appearance, or compare themselves to others in an effort to find the “right” level of perfection.
The Risks of Body Dysmorphia
There are both physical and mental health risks associated with body dysmorphia. Obviously, a preoccupation with your appearance can take a toll on everything from your career to your relationships. You might even avoid spending time with family and friends because you’re ashamed of the way you look.
If you try to change your appearance in extreme ways, like sudden weight loss or by undergoing cosmetic procedures, you could also be putting your physical health at risk.
Body dysmorphia rarely goes away on its own. If you’re reading this and the symptoms sound familiar, you’re taking a positive first step in the right direction. You have nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to seeking help for eating disorders. Feel free to reach out today, and you can start on a journey of self-love and seeing yourself for who you really are.