From time to time, whether our concerns are centered on the size of our nose or the placement of our eyebrows, we may look in the mirror and notice the parts of our bodies that generate feelings of self-consciousness. Although these insecurities can evoke minor unease, it does not typically obstruct our lives. But what happens when we feel that these insecurities become too difficult to handle? For one out of 50 people in the U.S. suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), these thoughts may become invasive and time-consuming, prompting the afflicted to spend up to several hours a day preening and covering up every loose hair, blister and acne scar.
David Veale, a psychiatrist at London’s Maudsley Hospital and co-author of Overcoming Body Image Problems, says that, “Other symptoms of BDD include spending large portions of time thinking about their perceived defect and asking unanswerable questions such as, ‘Why was I born this way?’ ” The surge of body dysphoria and physique-related anxiety is a public health problem, notably for youth and young adults worldwide. Concerns and related research have emerged exploring possible links between social media use — with its barrage of doctored images — and BDD.
