Fixing Body Image Problems

Recognizing the Symptoms and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder

© Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Fixing Body Image, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, stock xchange cooljinny

Poor body image can go beyond comparing your body to others'. Body dysmorphic disorder is a psychological disorder that involves thoughts like, "I am an ugly monster."

Body dysmorphic disorder is characterized by poor body image, disrupted thought processes, and extremely negative self-perceptions. A distorted view of your appearance is central to body dysmorphic disorder. You think you look fat even though others tell you you’re slim, you constantly tell yourself that you’re ugly, or perhaps you refuse to leave the house without being fully made up and impeccably dressed.

Knowing the symptoms and treatment of body dysmorphic disorder can save your life. Fixing body image problems involves recognizing your negative self-perceptions first.

“I look like a hideous monster” and “I won’t go outside unless I absolutely have to,” are typical comments of women struggling with body dysmorphic disorder. “I can’t talk to my boyfriend, I can’t trust him, and I’m scared he’ll leave me.” "I'm ugly and fat – nobody could love me the way I am!" When you fix body image problems, you start treating body dysmorphic disorder.

Symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder

In addition to a distorted view of your appearance and poor body image, other symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder include obsession with certain physical characteristics (particularly your hair, nose or skin), dissatisfaction with the results of plastic surgery, and uncontrollable negative thoughts about your body or personality.

When you have body dysmorphic disorder, you can’t stop thinking that you’re disfigured or ugly. Fixing body image problems involves changing your though patterns.

How do you know if you have body dysmorphic disorder or you’re simply aware of all aspects of your body – both bad and good? According to the Mayo Clinic and MedicineNet.com, there are several behaviors that could indicate a psychological disorder.

You may have body dysmorphic disorder if you:

People with body dysmorphic disorder may quit their jobs and refuse to leave their homes. In extreme cases, they consider suicide.

Treating body dysmorphic disorder

This psychological disorder requires treatment. Body dysmorphic disorder doesn't usually go away on its own. Some treatment options are:

Our family, friends, and partners may mislead us into believing we’re unlovable the way we are (this is emotional abuse, by the way). The media, television, magazines, and movies lie to us when they say being skinny, perfect, and gorgeous is the only way we can be loved.

Once you value who you are regardless of your skin, nose, weight, or hair – then everything else in your life has the chance to grow. You'll find it easier to fix body image problems when you learn to love yourself for who you are, no matter what you look like.

“And then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Anais Nin.

If you found Fixing Body Image Problems: Body Dysmorphic Disorder helpful, try:


The copyright of the article Fixing Body Image Problems in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Fixing Body Image Problems must be granted by the author in writing.




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