Teenagers with body dysmorphic disorder frequently concentrate on a single physical fault. This problem might actually be incredibly minor. Or it might not even be there. They might use makeup, attire, or in certain cases plastic surgery to cover up the actual or imagined imperfection. Their ongoing fixation on this defect may make them feel extremely ashamed. Since the obsession isn’t really about their appearance, there is nothing they can do to fix the flaw. It all comes down to how they view themselves. Dysmorhpophobia, or the dread of having a deformity, is another name for the disorder.
It is common to refer to body dysmorphic disorder as “imagined ugliness.” Teenagers with this disease frequently believe that physical fault is the reason they are ugly since they are fixated on it. They may experience an ugly side to life. Common indications of this condition include:
- constantly looking in mirrors
- Never look at a mirror
- Extraordinary grooming
- heavy cosmetic usage
- avoiding taking any self-portraits
Although these actions may appear innocent or typical of awkward teenagers, they are actually taken to extremes in these situations. Teenagers with body dysmorphic disorders may become so concerned with one aspect of their bodies in social situations that they experience extreme depression or anxiety.
Body shaming
The “flaw” could be a physical characteristic like size, shape, hair, nose, teeth, or complexion. When it comes to teens, the defect can be connected to the physical changes that puberty brought about in their bodies.
The Mighty, a blog with resources for mental health, had an essay written by contributor Rachel Gralewski who said, “Every morning I look in the mirror and despise what I see. I have a lot of insecurities, but my face’s imperfections are what bother me the most. I spend approximately an hour doing makeup, typically two coats of foundation and a ton of concealing with a cover-up stick, to cover up my flaws.
With your doctor, talk about previous therapies and inquire as to whether medication would be a better option. Psychotropic drugs may be suggested by a psychiatrist to help you manage your depression. Additionally, they are here to help you with the spravato treatment for depression medication management.
I usually have to retouch my makeup three or four times throughout the day, every time I leave the house. I frequently worry that people will think I’m shallow because of how much makeup I use and that I never leave the house without it. I wear so much because I can’t tolerate how I look without it, in actuality.
Today, maintaining a positive body image may be difficult for anyone going through puberty. Huge physical and emotional changes are occurring during this period.
For some teenagers, the comparison of these physical stages to the prevailing ideals of beauty might lead to an existential crisis. The situation is so severe for these kids that it warps their perception of reality. The Mayo Clinic provides the following list of potential causes for body dysmorphic disorder, albeit there may not be one single cause.
- Natural weight gain and other puberty-related changes
- peer pressure to maintain a certain appearance
- media depictions of the slender ideal female body
- Having a mother who is overly concerned with her own weight or her daughter’s weight or appearance, according to research. Seeing material that sexually objectifies girls, in which a girl is portrayed as a thing for other people’s sexual use rather than as an independent, thinking person, can also be detrimental.
Body Warping
Teens that have BDD do not perceive themselves as you do. Women who had overcome anorexia claim that they could not recognize how thin they were when they glanced in a mirror. Some obese women claim that when they looked in the mirror, they always saw a smaller version of themselves.
Another sign of BDD is this type of body deformation. An eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating may coexist with the disorder. Because of this, the necessary treatment for the disease should be extensive and varied. Serious health hazards rise when an eating disorder is present.
