Filmmaker Karan Johar recently opened up about his lifelong struggle with self-loathing and discomfort with the way he looks. This condition, also known as body dysmorphia, is a mental illness in which people spend a lot of time thinking about flaws in their appearance. These flaws often go unnoticed by others. Read on to know about its signs and symptoms.
Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental illness that involves long-term worry about flaws in one’s appearance.
In a recent interview, film director Karan Johar opened up about hating himself for years due to his body dysmorphic disorder. “I have body dysmorphic disorder and it’s so awkward for me to get in a swimming pool. I don’t know how to get in a swimming pool without making myself feel miserable. I’ve been trying so hard to overcome it,” he said in the interview. “No matter how successful I am, no matter who I think I am in my head, I always wear clothes that are too big. I always fight with it, even if I try so hard to lose weight, I always feel fat. So I don’t want any part of my body to be seen,” said the successful director and producer.
According to experts, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental illness that causes people to worry for a long time about flaws in their appearance, flaws that are often unnoticed by others.
Doctors say that BDD can develop at any age, but it is most common in teenagers and young adults. It affects both men and women. Statistics show that BDD affects about 2.4% of adults, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The condition affects about 2.5% of women and 2.2% of men. Doctors say that the condition is most likely to start in the teenage years or early adulthood, often around age 12-13. At least two-thirds of people with BDD develop it by the age of 18.
Signs and Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
According to doctors, signs and symptoms of BDD can manifest in many ways, some of which are listed below.
- You spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about the “flaws” in your body, even if others say it’s no big deal or don’t even notice.
- Feeling the need to repeatedly look or check your appearance
- Frequently changing their appearance, such as changing their hairstyle or clothing
- They frequently take selfies and use filters to hide certain parts of their body
- They feel scared or anxious because they believe others are staring, judging, or making fun of things they don’t like about their body or appearance.
- Panic attacks after seeing yourself in the mirror
- Feeling embarrassed or disgusted about your body or appearance, especially about certain aspects that you perceive as problematic.
- Compulsive grooming
- Avoid social situations – meeting friends and family
- Considerations of self-harm or suicide because of their appearance.
Causes of Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Doctors say that while the cause of body dysmorphic disorder is unclear, there are a number of possible contributing factors.
If your parents or siblings have the disease
Differences in brain structure, chemistry, and activity
People who suffer from BDD often have areas of the brain that are overactive or working differently than expected.
Different cultures have different standards of beauty and appearance, and popular media, culture, or a combination of both may influence how BDD affects your thoughts and behaviors.
A history of childhood abuse, neglect, or bullying
People who have had adverse childhood experiences are more likely to develop BDD.
What is the outcome?
Research has shown that people who suffer from BDD are more likely to have certain mental health problems, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression and stress
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Substance abuse disorder
