Dysmorphophobia - where it comes from and how it develops. The main signs of dissatisfaction with their appearance. How to cure a condition: general advice, psychological techniques, drug therapy. Dysmorphophobia is the fear of the imperfection of one's appearance. A person suffering from such a phobia is in constant stress due to the fear of not meeting certain requirements. Moreover, most often these requirements are overestimated and invented by the dysmorphophobe himself.
Description and mechanism of development of dysmorphophobia
Such a state of mind, as dysmorphophobia, can be called "the syndrome of inconsistency with the ideal." A person with such a position creates for himself a certain ideal, a standard with which he constantly compares himself and to which he constantly loses. He is sure that only after achieving full compliance with his idol, he will be happy and successful. And before that, he is an outcast, everyone does not like him.
He believes that all his shortcomings are in sight and are constantly discussed by others. This causes the body dysmorphophobe to be in constant tension. He focuses on self-improvement, ranging from banal diets, lengthy styling and makeup applications to plastic surgery.
Another characteristic feature of the development of fear of imperfection is obsession. Such a person not only torments others with his problems, but also himself. He spends a lot of time and money on eliminating one shortcoming and, having coped with it, immediately finds the next in himself. And so he turns his life into a vicious circle.
Particularly dangerous in this regard is plastic, which can "tighten" the dysmorphophobe no worse than drugs. If there are no forces and means for cardinal changes in appearance, a person convinced of his complete “imperfection” becomes withdrawn and uncommunicative.
Such a position in life inevitably affects personal life. Most often, dysmorphophobes are sure that because of their appearance problems they simply cannot be loved - they simply cannot be loved (with such a nose, chest, lips, legs, etc.). And it is quite difficult to convince them. Therefore, even if they have a relationship, the partner has a hard time.
The main reasons for the development of dysmorphophobia
The decisive factor that prevents a dysmorphophobe from living is a lack of appearance. This can be overweight, irregular shape of the nose, eyes, breast size, leg length, height, skin condition, etc. Almost everyone has a feeling of their imperfection, and most people have learned to live with it, unlike those for whom it becomes an obsession and develops into a phobia.
The following factors contribute to this transformation:
- Real physical disabilities (large moles or birthmarks on the face and visible parts of the body, dwarfism or gigantism, obesity, scars, squint, etc.);
- Imaginary "deformities" (suggested or invented imperfections of the figure, appearance, parameters and body weight);
- Mental illness (obsessive and psychopathic conditions, schizophrenia).
Adolescents are most susceptible to fear of imperfect appearance. Their still unsettled psyche in tandem with hormonal "storms" and dependence on the opinions of others provides fertile ground for the development of a mass of complexes and phobias, including dysmorphophobia.
Psychologists have identified the following causes of dysmorphophobia in adolescents:
- Parental omissions in raising a child … It is the wrong behavior of parents and relatives that can significantly complicate the life of a teenager. Criticism, focusing on the child's external shortcomings further aggravates adolescent complexes and helps them develop into a phobia.
- Environment … If in the team (school or company) where the teenager is constantly there are certain "standards" in relation to appearance, and he does not meet them, it is difficult for the child to feel confident, especially when the children around him do not hesitate to remind him of this. Braces, glasses, hair color, skin rashes, weight can become the subject of ridicule. National or racial differences can be accepted no less harshly - in terms of skin color, hair, eye shape.
- Transformation … Not all children of puberty can easily perceive the changes in their bodies as they grow up. Realizing the importance of being attractive to the opposite sex, adolescents are very sensitive to any problems with the face (acne, pimples, the size of the nose, and girls - and lips). For girls during this period, the reason for excessive concern is weight, breast size, and the presence of body hair. Boys begin to worry about the same excess weight or lack of muscle mass, the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
- Trauma … A teenager can feel flawed after experiencing psychological or physical trauma, which leaves a visible mark on the body (fractures, scars, defects) or in the soul (rape, bullying).
- Character traits … People with certain character traits are more susceptible to a serious perception of their shortcomings - timid, insecure, as well as neurotics, perfectionists, introverts and sensitive to criticism.
- Suggestion through the media and the Internet … Television programs (reality shows, advertisements, programs dedicated to "reincarnations") contribute to the development of phobias in relation to appearance. Even more danger to the self-esteem of a teenager is hidden by social networks, full of photos of ideal girls and guys.
Obsessions about their imperfection can be observed in adults, accomplished personalities. Here, the reasons are largely similar to those of adolescence, as they often move from puberty to adulthood. Dysmorphophobia can appear as a result of the already mentioned mental illnesses, psychological or physical trauma, environmental influences, in women - due to a change in appearance after childbirth.
Signs of dysmorphophobia in humans
Manifestations of fear of imperfection can be different and depend on the significance, size and location of the defect. However, a number of stereotyped features can still be distinguished.
The main symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder:
- Obsessions that the "defect" is becoming more visible. A mole or scar enlarges, the hair on the head falls out, and on the body it becomes thicker, the rash spreads all over the face, the waist or hips "grow", etc.
- Disguise the flaw with cosmetics (skin), styling products (hair), clothing (figure, body). Dysmorphophobes spend hours in front of a mirror applying makeup, styling their hair, or picking up clothes.
- Constant control of your appearance using mirrors and any reflective surfaces. People suffering from this phobia use every opportunity to control the state of their disguise - on the street, at work, in the store, so that no one sees such a carefully hidden "flaw". It also happens the other way around, when they deliberately avoid mirrors.
- Fear of photographing. It is often impossible to persuade a person with a fear of imperfect appearance to take a picture, especially spontaneously. The reason is simple - he doesn't want his "ugliness" to be immortalized in the photo. And if he agrees, then only if there is sufficient time to prepare and work with a professional photographer. That is, under a certain angle and lighting, which would hide his already disguised "flaw" as much as possible.
- Excessive passion for improving one's appearance (diets, sports, cosmetic procedures, plastic interventions). Obsessive search for new ways to eliminate your "defect".
- Low self-esteem.
- Problems with communication, in personal relationships, in school, at work due to the inability to concentrate on something other than their "shortcomings". The feeling that others see these "shortcomings" and constantly discuss them also contributes to the distance from society.
- Constantly asking about your "defect" from loved ones, comparing yourself with your idols in their presence.
- Propensity to abuse alcohol, drugs.
- Increased anxiety, a tendency to panic attacks and depression.
- Reluctance to go outside during the day, when the "disadvantage" will be more noticeable.
Important! Dysmorphophobia syndrome, which is not recognized and corrected in time, can lead to serious mental consequences, up to and including suicide.
How to get rid of body dysmorphic disorder
It is quite logical that the methods of dealing with the phobia of a defect in appearance of a psychological nature and mental pathology will be radically different. In the first case, you can try to cope with the problem yourself. In the second, one cannot do without the help of a psychiatrist. Therefore, successful treatment of dysmorphophobia is impossible without a properly established cause, which can only be identified by a specialist.
General tips on how to deal with body dysmorphic disorder
If the cause of the phobia is real and objective, and the manifestations do not go beyond reasonable limits, you can remove it in the following ways:
- Surgical intervention … Defects such as really large moles, warts or scars on exposed areas of the body can be “neutralized” with plastic surgery.
- Care procedures … Any problems with teeth, skin, hair (including on the body) today can be solved with the assistance of an appropriate specialist. Modern dental and cosmetic clinics have enough equipment and special tools that can make teeth white and even, skin clean, and hair healthy and shiny.
- Sports activities … Exercise combined with a properly selected diet is the best recipe for solving problems with weight and shape.
- Change of image … The main task of an ideal image is to effectively emphasize the merits and gently hide the flaws. Therefore, changes in the style of clothing, hairstyle, makeup, hair color can also be considered as an effective way to get rid of body dysmorphic disorder on your own.
- Changing the environment … An excellent reason to start life from a new leaf for a dysmorphophobe can be a move to a new place of residence, a change of job or educational institution.
Important! Teenage fears about appearance can be prevented by treating him and his attitude to himself correctly. Explain everything that happens to his body during hormonal changes. And to position the importance of naturalness and individuality, and not artificially created by Photoshop or plastic beauty.
Psychological treatments for body dysmorphic disorder
If the fear of inappropriateness of appearance to the ideal has already gained momentum and manifests itself with serious symptoms, you need to remember that this phobia is a psychological problem. And seek help from a psychologist, who will determine how to treat dysmorphophobia in your particular case.
The primary task of the therapy of this fear is to change the pole of the patient's social self-esteem - from negative to positive, to reconcile him with his shortcomings (imaginary or real). These may be the already described ways to overcome the fear of imperfection with the help of surgery, exercise and diet, changes in the image and environment.
Also, the psychologist can focus on changing priorities - from appearance to internal qualities and achievements. That is, to put your real capabilities (intelligence, talent, success) above imaginary external qualities.
Methods of working with dysmorphophobes used by psychologists: personal sessions, group work, hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming. The most common methods are hypnosuggestational therapy (hypnotic suggestion of the desired attitude) and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). The latter implies working with the patient in several stages in order to teach him to live with his “disadvantage”, without hiding it.
In the most severe cases, when the phobia is a manifestation of a mental illness, the treatment will be carried out by a specialist in a psychiatric profile.
It is interesting! Many experts are categorically against plastic surgery in patients with this phobia. It is believed that such a correction of appearance only aggravates the condition of the dysmorphophobe - he will find a new flaw in himself that will need to be corrected. In some countries, such a psychological problem is a contraindication for plastic surgery.
Drug treatment of body dysmorphophobia
There is a practice of using medications in the fight against anxiety and obsessions about the imperfection of the appearance of medications. For this, drugs from the group of antidepressants and tranquilizers are used.
The purpose of their appointment is to relieve depressive mood, tearfulness or weakening expressed emotionally stressed states. However, the opinions of experts also differ on drug treatment.
Some studies show the ineffectiveness and inappropriateness of the use of antidepressants, moreover, the danger, since people with this pathology develop a quick addiction and dependence on them. Others insist that the right drug and dose, combined with psychotherapy, give good results. In any case, it remains true that only a doctor should prescribe medication.
How to get rid of body dysmorphophobia - watch the video:
Dysmorphophobia does not seem to be a dangerous or fatal disease. However, it can significantly complicate life and even push you to commit suicide. Therefore, leaving it unattended is dangerous, as well as treating it yourself.
