Body Dysmorphic Disorder

HAYES TILLAPAUGH

PSY 101

NICHOLE WILSON

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Humans Being Human

Most everyone, especially teenagers, have certain issues with their physical appearance. They think that their nose is to big, their eyebrows are too thick, their arms are too hairy, they have too many pimples, or perhaps their breasts aren’t large enough. This is normal and people do eventually grow into their body and accept who they are.

Sometimes though, the feelings of displeasure with oneself do not fade away and can lead to unhealthy decisions.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychological disorder where people have an unhealthy obsession with one or more parts of their body viewing themselves as flawed and thinking that other people are critically judging them based off of their appearances.

BDD can cause low self-esteem, avoidance of social situations, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. If not treated, BDD can lead to serious self harm or even suicide.

-ADAA

BDD In Our World BDD is not too uncommon. Teenagers are more susceptible to it

due to the constant social interactions and negative feed back brought on by schools. Peer pressure and name calling can lead to an unhealthy view on oneself and life. It does however also affect adults in possibly a more life threatening way. Models, dancers, wrestlers, and any other profession in which the human body is the main attraction can lead to BDD.

Some major psychological disorders that can come with BDD are the eating disorders Anorexia and Bulimia.

-ADAA

Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa = An eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body weight. People suffering from this tend to restrict their caloric intake to and unhealthy level, excessive exercise, or forcing vomit after in taking food.

Bulimia Nervosa = An eating disorder in which people binge eat (eat an unhealthy amount) and then purge or vomit the food out in an attempt to stay thin.

-Mayo Clinic

Media

Countless people have dealt with BDD and an eating disorder. A root to this epidemic is television shows like America’s Next Top Model that do not out right glorify eating disorders, but say they simply apart of the business. What this does is sub consciously tell people that an eating disorder can help you succeed in this profession and it is not looked down upon.

During season 6 of America’s Next Top Model a woman from Oklahoma named Cassie Ann Grisham was a competitor.

Cassie Grisham

Cassie Grisham announced she had an eating disorder on the show and said she did not care, thinking that it is not an issue. She would do anything it to took to reach her dreams of becoming a super model. She can be quoted as saying “I have an obsession with my weight.” and also defending it with “I don’t throw up after every meal.” Even though it was made clear on television of her issue with her body image and health, the show’s directors and judges did not seem to care. In fact, they really pushed her buttons by saying “she’s not exactly a size two.” and “your hips are too big for this dress.” This drama after all, makes for what some people call entertaining television.

Cassie is doing better today, but for a lot of men and women it does not get much better and life threating complications from being so malnourished arise. This can include death.

-Case Study

Humans

Humans survive off of other humans. From the dawn of man to now, we live together, eat together, and generally just spend time together. This makes us feel accepted, safe, wanted, and brings out the best in life. The displeasure with upsetting others is what drives us to act the way we do. BDD causes an internal belief that we are flawed and others do not want us. The lack of acceptance is what pushes people to the brink and leads to other psychological disorders.

Conclusion

BDD will likely never be whipped out. Humans will always care about their personal appearance and how it affects their reputation to others. Psychological remedies to BDD like Psychotherapy or mood stabilizers are all we have to accommodate those with this issue. Maybe someday science will progress far enough to make a simple pill or immunization that wipes out BDD from our consciousness. Until then we must do our part and raise or future children to be accepting kind people and love who they are for what they are.

Works Cited “Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Anxiety and Depression Association of

America, ADAA.” Web 15 July 2015.

“Anorexia Nervosa.” Mayo Clinic. Web 15 July 2015.

“Bulimia Nervosa.” Mayo Clinic. Web 15 July 2015.

“Case Study: Eating Disorders and Top Model.” Youtube. Web 15 July 2015.