Body Dysmorphia, Christina Laprocina

Jones, Stephanie. “UGA Professor: Teens Now Describe Their Sexual Encounters as 'Body Counts'.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 3, 2019. https://www.ajc.com/blog/get-schooled/uga-professor-teens-now-describe-their-sexualencounters-body-counts/YIfRdwz8i1K3ziUzebQ8UN/.

Body Dysmorphia

Christina Laprocina

Body Dysmorphia or Body Dysmorphic Disorder is referred to as a psychiatric condition where individuals sense “flaws” in their appearance when in reality an objective spectator would not share the same perception. The disorder is explained to be common with about 2% of the general population having it, making it more shared than schizophrenia or anorexia nervosa. It is said to appear evenly in both sexes. (Veale and Bewley, pg.1). For young girls, Body Dysmorphia takes the form of feeling overweight, even though they are not. For adolescent boys, this condition is more common with feelings of being preoccupied that their body is too small and not muscular enough, relating to the term Muscle Dysmorphia. Moreover, the History of Body Dysmorphia is described by the BDD Foundation as first recognized in 1981. This may be shocking to many individuals considering most people believe body dysmorphia is a more recent term. The idea was derived from, “the Greek word “dysmorphophobia,” in 1891 which is a term meaning misshapenness or ugliness” (BDD Foundation, para 2). Although the disorder is a serious psychiatric condition, it is represented to mental health services less frequently, unless there are added issues such as depression or a risk of suicide.

Furthermore, this word helps us understand the experiences of young people considering Body Dysmorphia is something that can occur during puberty, as youth’s bodies are going through a lot of mental and physical changes. Body Dysmorphia can stay with an individual for an immense amount of time if it is not dealt with. Social media definitely does not help when it comes to Body Dysmorphia, as many young adults may go on Instagram or any other popular platform and compare themselves to their favourite celebrity or influencer. This relates to Waddell’s notions in “Inside Lives, ” when she describes that an adolescent may not be willing to

share their feelings and may decide to manage the condition on their own. They may feel silly for their intense emotions. Due to these consequences, it is important as future educators to be cautious when it comes to youth in our classrooms. We do not know what intrusive thoughts can occur in their minds, and thus, must be willing to change our study of adolescents to the ways we can be more inclusive and accepting of the extreme livelihood of youth. In addition, Body Dysmorphia is relative to an adolescent’s health and well-being considering the most extreme cases of this condition can lead to depression, and in the worstcase suicide. It is significant for youth to feel comfortable and love their bodies, although that is unfortunately not always the case. For individuals with BDD, it is relevant to seek help from doctors and undergo behavioural therapy. The focus of this type of therapy is to uphold engagement and to alternate feelings of distress and interference in one’s life (Veale and Bewley, pg.4). This allows adolescents that are suffering to create an understanding of the issue and reduce feelings of fixated attention and pondering over their condition.

Works Cited

“History of BDD.” BDDF, https://bddfoundation.org/information/more-about-bdd/history-ofbdd/.