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:
Constantly compare your appearance with others
Refuse to let your picture be taken, or are extremely self-conscious in photos
Keep checking a certain body part that you think is flawed (eg, your nose or belly)
Measure the flaw frequently - this is a huge indicator of body dysmorphic disorder.
Attempt to hide your flaws
Feel anxious and self-conscious around other people
Avoid leaving the house unless you absolutely have to. Body dysmorphic disorder limits your social and love life.
Call yourself names:“hideous”, “ugly”, and “disgusting”
Seek cosmetic surgery: liposuction, rhinoplasty, etc.
Aren’t happy with the results of the cosmetic surgery, even becoming angry with the surgeon
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:
First, accept the possibility that you may struggle with body dysmorphic disorder. Fixing body image problems starts with honesty and acceptance.
Talk to a specialist – not necessarily your family doctor or GP. Find an eating disorders counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Even better, find one who specializes in body dysmorphic disorder.
Talk to your friends and family. Attempt to explain how you feel and think; give them the chance to love you. Be open about fixing your body image problems or body dysmorphic disorder.
Treat yourself well. Get enough sleep, eat nutritiously, and exercise regularly
Learn how to direct your thoughts to something else when you starting thinking of yourself as fat or ugly. Fixing body image problems is easier when you think positively about yourself.
Realize that what you hear becomes your belief system. If you were told you’re fat and ugly, then you’ll grow to believe that – regardless of your appearance and weight. Fixing body image problems involves recognizing what you heard in the past and what's true for right now.
Our family, friends, and partners may mislead you into believing you're unlovable the way you are (this is emotional abuse, by the way!). The media, television, magazines, and movies lie to you when they say being skinny, perfect, and gorgeous is the only way to 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.
If you found Fixing Body Image Problems: Recognizing the Symptoms of 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 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I have read all through the eating disorder articles. i have answered yes
to all the questions. i knew i had a problem is why i looked eatong
disorder up. i hate the way i look and with every emotion i turn to food
and hate myself for eating. i feel fat and ugly. the where you feel like
your boyfriend cant love you because your to ugly and you dont trust him.
that really hit home. how do i get better and love me. im so unhappy. i
have thought of suicide. i know thats not the answer but it has crossed my
mind. i would never do that i know god and he loves me my life is not mine
to take. this web site has really hepled me. this is the first step to my
healing. i have body dysmorphic disorder.
Feb 8, 2009 8:38 AM
Guest :
I am a parent of a teenage who has just confided in me that she is always
feeling fat and ugly because a number of her friends have made comments of
having a big butt during the past few years. Reading this article made me
to think that she could be better off by working with a counselor instead
of just helping her by myself. I never thought someone so could feel so
depressed and start believing those who say hurtful words but do not
believe in hundreds who have commented how beautiful she is. I wish I could
take those words out of her mind but they are struck to her brain like a
strong magnet.
Feb 8, 2009 8:47 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
Unfortunately, even little offhand comments can severely affect a girl's
(or even a woman's) body image. And, targeted hurtful comments are even
worse.
You can't take those words out of her mind, but you can
teach her how to accept criticism without letting it change her
self-perception. This is a valuable tool for all people -- we need to be
able to hear negative comments without letting our self-esteem plummet.
There are many great resources on the internet to help improve body
image -- and I like The Dove Campaign for Realy Beauty.
http://www.dove.us/#/CFRB/GirlsOnly/default.aspx/ They offer a great
self-esteem program for girls, and it could help your daughter.
Good luck! I'm sorry your teen heard those nasty remarks, but this may be
helpful in the long run....because most women deal with body image issues
sooner or later...
Laurie
Feb 19, 2009 8:38 PM
Guest :
I believe I have body dysmirphic disorder and it affects so many aspects if
my life negatively. I know I need help and I really want help, but
counsellors in my area cost too much money. I have no idea how to make this
betteror how to heal. I hate the thoughts. What are my options? What can I
do?
Feb 20, 2009 6:51 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
It can be very helpful to read books about body image or body dysmorphic
disorder - especially those written from a woman's perspective, who
struggled with it. Go to your library or bookstore and find the books that
resonate with you, that make you feel understood, and that you
"get".
And, finding a group of women who struggle with
the same issues can be a great way to overcome body image issues. You don't
even have to meet in person (though that would be good!) -- even finding a
GOOD online support group can be effective. What's a good one? One you
don't have to pay for, that offers support and understanding, that helps
you achieve your goals and feel better about yourself. I don't have any to
recommend offhand, unfortunately, but I have stumbled across blogs and
websites that offer great info about body image.
Fixing body
image problems is different for everyone, which means you need to try a few
different things to find what works for you!
Good luck, and do
keep me posted. If you find a good body image site, please do post the
info here.
Laurie
Feb 25, 2009 12:48 PM
Jacqueline S. Homan :
What doesn't help matters is when women are denied jobs for being
"fat", "old", and "ugly looking." It's hard
enough when you've been "left on the shelf" and lost out in the
dating and mating game becuase of not being pretty enough, thin enough,
with hard-body toned definition and tight abs and belly(regardless of
you've had babies or not). How can women and girls feel good about
themselves when this is how we're treated in society by everyone else -
ranging from prospective employers to men we'd like to date and get
intimate with? When you find yourself losing out on job opportunities in
favor of thinner, younger, prettier "eye candy"; when you are
routinely ridiculed for your weight, when you always lose out in the dating
scene to other women who are prettier/younger/thinner that the guy you're
seeing dumps you for, or you're ignored and passed over entirely - is
negative body image and deppression any kind of surprise here?
Mar 18, 2009 10:29 AM
Guest :
The problem I have with identifying whether or not I have Body Dysmorphic
Disorder is that I am conscious of the existence of such a disorder.
Knowing it to be a genuine disorder and saying "oh yeah I have
that" makes me believe that I can't possibly, truly have said
disorder. Just like a person cannot suffer from a Narcissistic Personality
Disorder if they actually acknowledge it.
Many of the symptoms
hit home, few did not. I'm just quite convinced I simply don't look
good. But also the fact that as a part of a self-help exercise of
improving one's self image I listed all my body parts, and then tried to
write something positive about them. Anything. I couldn't think of a
single positive thing of any inch of my body, I found a flaw in each and
every little patch of self there is to me.
Also, seeking help
for BDD feels difficult to me. It feels vain and selfish to go and say
"I have Body Dysmorphic Disorder, I need help." Self-help
exercises has proven no help so far. I feel like I'm lying to myself when I
tape a "You look great!" post-it to my mirror.
There
are three sisters in my family, and none of us are particularly keen on our
appearance. I think my sisters look fine, I especially admire my older
sister, a mother of two, because I think she looks fabulous even after
having been stretched in all directions by pregnancy. Could the
problem simply be in my upbringing. No one can turn back the time, so how
to fix the damages?
N.
Mar 18, 2009 11:02 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
Interesting comments! You absolutely CAN be aware of an existence of a
condition such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and still struggle with it!
Think of women (and men) who struggle with bulimia, alcoholism,
schizophrenia, depression - and yes even narcissism....many people are
fully aware they have a disorder, but are unwilling or unable to stop
it.
I don't understand why it seems vain and selfish to say to
someone (such as a counselor), "I think I have Body Dysmorphic
Disorder, and I need help." How is it vain and selfish to ask for
help with something you're struggling with? If you do end up talking to a
counselor, this might be something to talk about. For most people, it's
very humbling, embarrassing, and even humiliating to admit they have a
problem and ask for help. Admitting you're struggling with anything from
Body Dysmorphic Disorder to alcoholism to schizophrenia puts you in a
vulnerable position.....which is NOT what vain and selfish people do very
often.
I've never found the self-help "You look
great!" Post-It notes on bathroom mirrors helpful, either. They do
seem fake, and they don't work for everyone, that's for sure.
I
love that you say your mom looks fabulous even though she's been stretched
in all directions by her pregnancy! That shows that there's SO MUCH MORE to
being likeable, lovable, and attractive than how you look......it's not
your appearance that makes you beautiful. It's who you are.
How
to fix the damages that Body Dysmorphic Disorder causes? Accept that you
struggle with body image issues. Admit it. Read as much as you can about
the topic, and find out if there are workshops or classes you can attend in
person.
And, talk to a counselor.
I welcome your
thoughts!
Warm regards, Laurie
Sep 1, 2009 12:40 AM
Guest :
iv'e heard of this disorder before and often wondered if im suffering from
this.
since the age of 16/17 i have become obsessed with my
looks and feel embarassed of how i look and the way i feel about myself - i
feel abnormal and vain. How i feel about myself impacts my love life with
my long term partner, i often feel insecure and trust is a big issue. I
obsess over a certain body part and have looked into cosmetic surgery. I
dont wont to go to tell anyone or visit the doctor in fear of being
ridiculed and confused with being self absorbed.
Sep 1, 2009 5:35 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
Hi,
One of the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder is being
obsessed with appearance. This isn't vanity, my friend. It's an
uncontrollable way of thinking that's really hard to control without
getting help! It's similiar to an anxiety disorder or obsessive compulsive
thinking, where people just can't stop their thoughts. It seems like
self-absorption, but it's a little deeper than that.
Remember
that if you do ask a doctor or counselor for help, they will not think
you're self-absorbed or vain! They'll think you're struggling with body
dysmorphic disorder or body image issues, and that you're reaching out for
help. Just like someone struggling with any illness. And, if you're worried
about what your friends or family think, you don't have to tell them until
you're ready.
Often, just coming out and talking about problems
makes them less daunting and "big." Secrets or things we're
ashamed off becoming much more harmful to us than issues that we talk about
openly. The things we hide have power over us. The things we bring out of
us lose their grip on us.
I encourage you to get more
information, so you don't feel so alone and abnormal! Most women and many
men struggle with body image issues, to different degrees. I rounded up
several of my most popular body image and body confidence articles in my
Psychology blog. You might find them helpful.
Just click on my
name in blue at the top of this page, then click on "Read Laurie
Pawlik-Kienlen's blog" on the right side. Scroll down to
"Resources for Body Image and Body Confidence." You can also find
it in the August, 2009 list on the side panel.
I wish you all
the best, and encourage you to get in-person help.
Laurie
Oct 14, 2009 11:00 AM
Guest :
I agree with Ms. Horman's statement! 100%! While it's all good and great to
be "happy with yourself" there's always going to be someone who
is better. And it hurts even more when you have to be reminded of that
EVERYDAY! When you're the one who's ALWAYS ignored in the presence of
prettier and thinner women. The whole thing is really depressing. And you
can't talk about it with your friends who are thinner and prettier because
they are going to try and make you think you are crazy for having those
feelings. When in fact they have no idea what it's like to actually be ugly
or fat. They'll say things like "oh but you look great." But yet
they wouldn't be caught dead "gaining as much weight as you." So
how does that make you feel? Like crap! You try to have a positive
self image no matter how you look, but if you don't fit society's standard
of what beautiful is, then basically you're not!
Mar 21, 2007
