Body Dysmorphia: Are you obsessed with your appearance?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines Body Dysmorphia as “a condition in which someone falsely believes that there is something seriously wrong with the size or shape of their body.” It is often used to indicate an obsessive preoccupation or an uneasy feeling with a perceived flaw in one’s appearance. In reality the flaw may seem minor or non-existent to others but for the person it is an obsession. Such a person is suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD. It is estimated that around one million people suffer from BDD in India.
BDD sufferers tend to go into a shell and avoid social contact. They are constantly checking themselves in a mirror and trying to hide the perceived defect. Another symptom is repetitive behaviour such as constantly rubbing a perceived flaw. The sufferer longs for positive affirmations and needs to be reassured by others that he/she looks good.
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Monica Fernandes is a freelance writer from Mumbai for whom writing is a satisfying hobby. She writes for several magazines including The Teenager Today. She has authored a book for teenagers entitled Towards A Fuller Life published by Better Yourself Books.
