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eLearning Series: Mental Illness
Explain Mental Illnesses To Me
What
Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Self-image is one of the ways in which one
will often times look at them from a different type of reality.
One’s perceived image often causes a reaction from an individual.
If this is brought to an extreme, it causes body dysmorphic
disorder. This causes one to believe that they must
continue to work on their self-image until it is perfected. As a result,
plastic surgery and other forms of trying to reconstruct one
become a dominant factor in one trying to find the perfect
look.
Self-image begins as a way for one to express their personality.
If someone has a negative impression of their image, then they
will try to find ways to perfect it or make it better. They
may often feel that the looks that they have are abnormal or
not good enough. This feeling becomes so dominant that it will
cause them to begin looking at options for them to fix this
problem.
Body
dysmorphic disorder is complete obsession over one’s self
image. This may be a minor flaw, however, according to
the person that is experiencing this disorder, it is a larger
issue. It causes feelings of anxiety to become dominant in
their life. This can become so drastic that those with body
dysmorphic disorder will begin to affect academic and professional
functioning. It may also cause relationships to become a problem.
Those with this disorder may become so self-conscious of their
flaw that they will avoid contact with others in order to not
be observed by them.
There are several different types of parts that are most common
in being obsessed over with body dysmorphic disorder. Moles
and freckles may be too large. Acne is often times overbearing.
Scars or skin irritations, facial or body hair, and other external
body image factors are part of this. Muscles being too small
are another obsession that many will try to fix either through
excessive working out or through different types of surgery.
Others will become obsessed with the size and shape of genitalia
or breast size. The face and shape of the face and body parts
is another obsession towards perfection that those with this
disorder will begin to recognize and try to fix.
Body dysmorphic disorder then begins to take part in this
person’s life. At the most extreme level, those with body dysmorphic
disorder will continuously get cosmetic surgery or plastic
surgery. Even this will cause the person to not be satisfied
with their image. It is known that those who have this personality
disorder will not be satisfied with the results of the surgery
and will request more surgery to be done in order to fix their
self-image. If they do not go to the extreme of getting surgery,
they may often go to get medical check-ups on a consistent
basis, especially by visiting dermatologists.
For smaller ways for this person to fix the problem of their
self-image, they will also take several different measures.
They will either avoid mirrors completely or they will check
in mirrors continuously to make sure that they don’t have any
extra flaws on their face. Several will also avoid having their
picture taken. Another action that may be taken is repetition
in checking to make sure that they look ok, and continuous
grooming and shaving. Camoflauging what one believes the defects
are is another part of this disorder. Wearing clothes to cover
up what they believe the flaws are and wearing make-up in order
to cover up different areas of their face are done consistently.
It is also known that this disorder may be representative
of other types of disorders as well. Narcissism, antisocial
personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and paranoia
were some of the personality disorders that have been associated
with self-image and body dysmorphic disorder.
Body dysmorphic disorder is an obsession with self-image that
one begins by having a low sense of self. As a result, those
with this disorder will try to find ways to either cover up
what they believe their flaws are either through how they present
themselves or through surgery. By their desire to have perfection
in their self-image, they will usually take whatever measures
they find necessary in order to fix their appearance. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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