Dysmorphophobia

Dysmorphophobia( Dysmorphophobia) is a painful syndrome, consisting in the acute experience of the individual of his physical imperfection. By its nature, dysmorphophobia is often bizarre and is based on somatic sensations that lead to hypochondriacal preoccupations. Schizophrenia with severe depression( depressive states), as well as organic brain diseases can cause this phobia.

Dysmorphophobia is of interest in the study, both for psychologists and for psychiatrists. The phobia begins to develop widely from adolescence. According to statistics, more than 80% of young people are dissatisfied with their appearance, are pathologically afraid of their changes in adolescence, obsessive obsessive ideas of imperfection of their own body. Discontent with oneself leads to the fact that teenagers color their lives in minor colors, and all their attitude is reduced to a bleak life. Often, there are no grounds for aggravated feelings about the imperfection of the figure, and all this is imaginary apparent bodily anomalies.

The syndrome of dysmorphophobia was first described at the end of the XIX century by the Italian psychiatrist E.Morselli, who also introduced the term into the use of scientific terminology. This phenomenon was not avoided in his works by P.Jane at the beginning of the 20th century, who described this phobia in detail. Domestic authors VM Bekhterev, as well as SA Suhanov also did not avoid the problem of dysmorphophobia.

The first domestic work dedicated to dysmorphophobia was N.E. Osipova, which was published in 1912.In his work, the author described a patient who suffered from an alleged high growth, as well as an ugly face, which caused a desire to achieve surgical intervention. The patient suffered so much that she wanted to starve herself, because thoughts of suicide did not leave her. This case Osipov interpreted from Freudian positions, and the treatment had a psychoanalytic character.

. Dysmorphophobia - causes of

. Nowadays, many specialists explain the syndrome of dysmorphophobia by obsessive mass culture, persistently planting unrealistic standards of standards of appearance.

Suggestions for the improvement of the very appearance is by imposing and promoting advertising plastic surgery, as well as all sorts of cosmetics. As a result of self-determination, young men rely on artificial standards, and hence the origin of low self-esteem. Standards are planted since childhood, and a bright example is the Barbie doll.

Kelly Brownell, an American psychologist, believes that such dolls contribute to the development of a disease such as anorexia nervosa. Adolescents subject to obsessive passion to improve their figure, come to complete exhaustion

Dysmorphophobia - symptoms of

The wide spread of the dysmorphophobia syndrome is caused by the specifics of the youngest age, because it is this period that sharpens attention to external data. Symptoms of dysmorphophobia are diagnosed with serious and frequent attention to their appearance, in particular, on the face. Teenager overcomes the desire to correct his imaginary anomaly. Discontent arises both about the growth and weight of the body. This opinion is formed subjectively, and also under the influence of others. Thoughts about what people think, cause fears and doubts among young people about their attractiveness.

The symptomatology of dysmorphophobia is manifested in an acutely growing feeling of discontent with oneself, the conviction of having a physical defect, recognizing yourself as extremely unattractive, ugly and wanting to change this anomaly that does not really exist.

I want to note that fear of unattractiveness of one's body is a common phenomenon among healthy adolescents and young men. The syndrome of dysmorphophobia is episodic passing character and only occasionally permanent( permanent).But healthy people are not subject to dominant thoughts( fear of unattractiveness of one's own body) and their behavior, lifestyle is not related to the elimination of any physical defect.

Other cases have a severe pathological nature of physical disabilities. In this case, the psychologist should be careful because there is a possibility of a painful syndrome, and only the psychiatrist

is qualified to do this. Dysmorphophobia -

treatment Psychoanalysts tend to believe that the treatment of dysmorphophobia by psychoanalysis is effective, but representatives of other methods doubt it.

Psychologists are also convinced that most of the observed cases of dysmorphophobia are not an acute pathology and require non-medical intervention. If the fear of unattractiveness of one's own body is not aggravated by pathology, then psychologists advise to conduct consultative, explanatory, and psychotherapeutic work with young men, whose goal is to form a healthy self-image and in particular to develop criticality to unrealistic standards. Experts say that it is necessary to teach children how to see and perceive photos in glossy magazines from school, in order to protect their life.

It is extremely important to prepare the adolescents for the fact that changes in appearance and for the better will occur at a certain life span, but these are temporary phenomena. In addition, we are perceived as a whole, as a person, and not by individual parts. Excessive concern about your body and its imperfection often prevents you from fully living. Therefore, it is extremely important to shift the attention of the adolescent to the type of activity where he will achieve success, receive the approval of others, which will serve to raise his self-esteem.

More articles on the topic: