Not long back I was a girl who was so into achieving perfect body goals. Not I am proud of it but I used to follow numerous diets to get a better body , I used to workout not to just refresh but to get the body. This post is about body obsession , why you need to be moderate and how excess of it is not a great thing.
Being healthy and following a clean and healthy lifestyle in teenage is an appreciable attempt on behalf of a teenager, but it can turn into dysmorphia which isn't a healthy choice. Sometimes teens may indulge into steroids and other illegal substances to fulfil their desire of perfect body. Dysmorphia can lead to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
Teen body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder, is characterized by the conviction that the person struggling with the disorder looks deformed or extremely ugly (for instance, they believe they have a huge chin or badly scarred skin), when in reality, they look perfectly normal. Small imperfections become grossly exaggerated in the mind of the teen, which can lead to a variety of disordered behavioral or psychological response.
There are n number of factors resulting in dysmorphia or body obsession.
CAUSES
Media influence- I believe the greatest one is media influence, the teenage role in TV shows are mostly portrayed by people in their mid 20s and this is how a teenager in his adolescence wants to look like that person who has gone through this change years back. Teenagers want to look like celebrities who have undergone numerous plastic surgeries and body transformation treatments.
Genetics – inheritability is estimated at 43%, suggesting that body dysmorphic disorder may be largely attributed to certain inheritable issues in the brain.
Psychological trauma – bullying in particular can lead to a highly flawed body image and an extremely heightened sense of aesthetics, causing an unhealthy form of perfectionism. Teens who are regularly bullied for their appearance might take on an irrational self-image. Once the disorder manifests, it comes and goes as flare-ups are usually generated by excess stress, often in the form of academic obligations or bullying.
Being perfectionist, a bolt out of blue as it seems, teenagers who are good at school and sports and every other thing a teenager does has a risk of going through dysmorphia as they consider perfectionism as their personality trait and want to do same to their bodies.
WARNING SIGNS OF DYSMORPHIA
- Obsession with a particular body part or feature, such as the nose, hair, muscles, breasts, etc.
- Needing constant reassurance from others that the flaw is not so bad, or may attempt to talk about it in order to convince others of how bad it is
- Checking their appearance frequently in mirrors, or
- Avoiding their reflection in mirrors
- Convinced that others are fixated on the perceived flaw
- Change in eating habits
- Obsessive dieting or over-exercising
- Using excessive amounts of makeup to camouflage the perceived flaw
- Spending copious amounts of money on products or clothes to improve appearance
- Desiring plastic surgery
- Spending excessive amounts of time on grooming or putting on makeup
- Self-conscious about leaving the house, being seen, avoids social events
- Comparing their appearance to others
- Excessive school absences
- Depression symptoms
- Suicidal ideation
- choosing clothes which hide a specific body part.
HOW CAN PARENTS AND ADULTS HELP?
Believe in the process – It can be frustrating at times to see someone you love be consumed by irrational thinking that you cannot follow. It might seem cathartic to think of pulling them aside and shaking them until reality sets in. What might be obvious to you, however, is completely outdone by their delusions. Be patient and understanding and believe that the treatment will help them right themselves.
Be a cheerleader – Your goal alongside your teen should be to fight this disorder together, and not treat your teen in a precarious matter as though the disorder was interwoven into their very being. Just like any illness, it’s a condition they’re struggling with immensely, and one they don’t want. Body dysmorphic disorder is not a form of self-pity, but a legitimate mental illness that requires treatment and support. By providing enthusiasm, empathy, and understanding for your teen’s situation, you prove to them that you’re in their corner, and believe that they’re great despite how they may feel about themselves at times.
Take care of yourself – You cannot help anyone if you’re struggling with depression yourself. One common mistake for many family members to make when someone they love is struggling with a mental illness is to put everything aside and focus solely on helping their loved one. Yes, supporting your teen is very important, but if you let the disorder tear you or your family apart, it’ll only continue to sow chaos. Take care of your own needs and manage your stress responsibly.
show them content related the same- Fortunately our social media these days is full of body positivity and self love messages. Encourage teens to focus on such stuff. Accept people the way they are, rather than commenting on their looks.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle- Follow a healthy lifestyle so as to stay by your teen. Support and accept them. Tell them the value of healthy body and why food and workout should be done in optimum amount.
Very well described dysmorphia & awareness too.
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