Do You Have Body Dysmorphic Syndrome?

Negative thoughts about how you look can greatly reduce your self confidence and if these feelings are impacting your everyday life, then you could be suffering from body dysmorphic syndrome. This condition is generally thought to start during adolescence, simply because this is when most people begin to take much more notice of their appearance. The condition is often masked by other more noticeable conditions such as depression; however, so it can take some time for the correct diagnosis to be made. Men and women can be equally susceptible and because the side-effects are quite severe, early treatment is desirable.

If you have Body Dysmorphic Syndrome you may.....

Be continuously grooming yourself, including cutting, combing or even removing your hair.

Be constantly comparing yourself to others especially those in the Media.

Be continuously trying to diet or to exercise excessively.

Be continuously checking your appearance in mirrors or shop windows

Whilst most people would admit to disliking an aspect of their looks, the body dysmorphic will become obsessed by any area that they perceive to be unattractive. Indeed, sometimes if asked, the problem area is only vaguely described because the sufferer is feeling generally unattractive all over. If you have found yourself becoming increasingly preoccupied with your body and how you look, then it's vital that you take active steps for treatment.

The true extent of this problem is difficult to ascertain because the condition can seriously escalate out of control. You might find yourself avoiding meeting people or being unable to make eye contact when you do. In your mind, others might find you ugly and try to avoid you and of course, in reality this is not the case. You may well find it difficult to form friendships or relationships and instinctively, you will start to blame any lack of friends on how you look, such is the power of this condition. Those family and friends around you may not be able to understand your reluctance to face the world or comprehend why you would have such issues about your appearance and this is why it makes sense to speak to someone professionally about your feelings.

Typically, if suffering with body dysmorphic syndrome, your self esteem is likely to plummet and your perception of how you look is likely to be totally different from the reality. This ill-perceived perception will continue and your perceptions can also change depending on your mood and this may be something that you have already realized.

Treatment of body dysmorphic syndrome initially starts with seeing a counselor and it is important that you are able to be open and honest with how you really feel. Don't feel guilty or feel as if the counselor might judge you on your appearance; this could not be further from the truth. The counselor will be able to help you to start seeing yourself as everyone else sees you but it will take time to break through to this point and to be able to rebuild your confidence and self-esteem. Treatment for body dysmorphic syndrome often requires you to face your fears and to see yourself as a whole person and to not allow one small and insignificant aspect to overwhelm you.

     By Jim Moustakas 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6241262


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