TW: Body Dysmorphia has seen a rise through the impact of media, diet and model culture pressuring society to follow unrealistic beauty standards.
With Body Dysmorphic Disorder coined as its official term, it is defined as a 'mental illness characterized by an obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance.
Symptoms of the disorder include constant examination of appearance in the mirror, choosing to avoid or edit photos, and comparison to other people's bodies.
Body Dysmorphia is estimated to affect 1% of the population, which is notably more than people who suffer from anxiety. There is no known cure for the mental disorder, and it can be a lifelong issue that many live with.
There are further issues that are a result of the disorder, however, such as restricted eating, anxiety and depression.
Environmental facts play a significant role in the rise of body dysmorphia, including diet, gym, and model culture but more recently the rising impact of the media.
Social media has been a key role in promoting previous trends such as the return of the 1990's 'heroin chic', sustaining pressure of unrealistic beauty standards towards younger women.
The rising trend of low-rise jeans and crop tops promotes other issues such as diet and gym culture, which many are influenced to believe that they need to create a new active lifestyle to conform to these trends and standards.
Model culture equally contributes to unrealistic beauty standards by celebrities editing their own social media posts to look 'slimmer' in order to follow the shift in recent fashion trends.
Kim Kardashian's recent surgery rumoured to be liposuction reflects this shift in beauty standards, which has caused many an obsessive focus on their own appearances.
Due to the promotion of unrealistic beauty standards the diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder has been consequently on the increase.
American actress, Chloe Grace Moretz recently spoke out about her own personal suffering from body dysmorphia in relation to a viral Family Guy meme in 2016 being compared to her body. The comparison was made with her legs being 'too long' for her 'short torso'.
Chloe Grace Moretz, actress, aged 25 said, "I just remember sitting there and thinking, my body is being used as a joke and it’s something that I can’t change about who I am, and it is being posted all over Instagram", in a recent interview with Hunger.
For those who believe to be suffering from body dysmorphia, it is important to try and speak to a GP who will be able to provide any helpful treatment.
Some support groups for Body Dysmorphic Disorder and related disorders-
BDD Foundation (Local Areas and Online)
OCD Action
Helplines-
Mindinfoline: 0300 123 3393
support@bddfoundation.org
Edited by Imogen Bowlt
Sources:
Focus Medica.
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