The dissatisfaction with one’s body image is the basis of some clinical disorders, in particular of body dysmorphism disorder (also known as dysmorphophobia).
In the most recent version of the diagnostic statistical manual of mental disorders, this disorder was inserted within the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive disorders. In fact, it shares some operating characteristics with the latter.
In fact the criteria to diagnose the Body dysmorphism disorder are identified with:
- Excessive concerns for one or more defects/imperfections in physical aspect
- implementation of repetitive behaviors or mental actions in response to concern
- strong impairment of daily functioning
In recent decades, the spread of body dysmorphism has reached a incidence of 2.5% in the general population and 7-15% of people who affix structures for dermatological/cosmetics or plastic surgery.
However, the real prevalence could be much higher. This is due to a generalized tendency to the subdiagnosis of this disorder. And, above all, to the Failure to search for psychological help by the interested parties.
The symptoms of body dysmorphism
As already mentioned, people who suffer from body dysmorphism disorder consider one or more defects or imperfections in physical aspect very worrying. Often therefore the requested intervention is specifically on the defect.
Even when the person is aware of the irrelationity of his own aesthetic obstinacy, the feelings of shame for their attitude and for practical implications in everyday life are often joined to the request for psychological help.
Attention tobody image It remains one of the nuclei of this disabling disorder.
The body image
The body image is the subjective and aware representation of one’s body, generated at the reflective level with the contribution of information that derives from sensory channels.
It is influenced by several factors, such as the development environment, the group of peers and the media. In recent decades the impact of the latter factor has grown exponentially with the arrival of social mediaalways making access to various sharing platforms via smartphones.
Often the dissatisfaction with one’s body image emerges in adolescence, the period of often sudden changes. Just in that age, currently, the use of social media becomes usual and recurring. The research therefore asked himself about this report.
The social comparison, combined with the internalization of ideals, is one of the main mechanisms that participate in the perception of the body image. These two mechanisms are instrumental in the development of bodily extinguishing.
Scientific studies
Several studies have shown that individuals who compare their physical appearance with that of others who consider more attractive than them, such as models or celebrities, are more likely to be dissatisfied with their body image.
In a study it was highlighted that a greater overall Instagram use has been associated with greater self-objectiveness (i.e. perceived in operation only of one’s physical appearance). This report was mediated by both the internalization and the comparison of one’s appearance with the aesthetic canons present massively on social media.
The pandemic and the use of social networks
In the last year, the pandemic has meant that there was a strong increase in the use of social media, which also played a very positive role in the context of isolation with which we found ourselves living together.
However, as we have already underlined, various studies confirm that greater exposure to images of “others” deemed more attractive corresponds to a growing dissatisfaction with their own image.
In addition, the constant exposure, for those who have had to participate in meetings or follow lessons from the computer, in their image on the screen has done nothing but increase the selective attention to detail and to the imperfections deemed intolerable.
In a German study of Quittkat and colleagues, theImpact of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health. A considerable increase was found in some classes of symptomatological disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, depression, anxiety for health and precisely body dysmorphism disorder.
The search for help
As the request for psychological help, despite the great suffering, for patients with body dysmorphism is not obvious.
However, cognitive-behavioral therapy, combined with third generation approaches, can do a lot to alleviate this suffering and to regain satisfactory daily functioning.
First of all, understanding the nature of one’s discomfort, learning through metacognitive therapy techniques to manage recursive thoughts and attentive focus.
Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques to direct your values you can gradually deal with the complexity that the cover dysmorphism disorder.
Furthermore, learn emotional regulation strategies, gradually expose yourself to feared situations and promote a compassionate attitude towards oneself (with the compassion focused therapy) facilitates the resumption of a more functional and satisfactory everyday life for those suffering from this disabled and often little known disorder.
Bibliography
- Alsaidan, MS, Altayar, NS, Alshmmari, SH, Alshammari, MM, Alqahtani, FT, & Mohajer, Ka (2020). The prevalence and determinants of body Dysmorphic disorder Amag Young Social Media Users: A cross-sectional study. Dermatology Reports, 12(3),
- Fardouly, J., Willburger, BK, & Vartanian, LR (2018). Instagram Use and Young Women’s Body Image Concens and Self-Objectification: Testing Mediation Pathways. New Media & Society, 20(4), 1380–1395.
- Jiotsa, B., Naccache, B., Duval, M., Rocher, B., & Gall-Bronnec, M. (2021). Social Media Use and Body Image Disorders: Association Bethaeen Frequency of Compearting One’s Own Physical Appearance to That of People Being Followed on Social Media and Body DissatisFazion and Drive for Thinness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 2880.
- Pfund, Gn, Hill, PL, & Harriger, J. (2020). Video Chatting and appearance Satisfaction During Covid-19: appearance Comparisons and Self-Objectification As Moderators. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(12), 2038–2043.
- Quittkat, HL, Düsing, R., Holtmann, FJ, Buhlmann, U., devaldi, J., & Vocks, S. (2020). Perceived Impact of Covid-19 across different mental disorders: a study on disorder-specific sympoms, psychosocial stress and behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 11586246.
