Social Media’s Role on Body Insecurity
By Teana Krolak
After scrolling through social media platforms for hours on end, do you ever catch yourself feeling more insecure than before you started? It is no surprise that research shows that apps like Instagram and more newly TikTok contribute to youth feelings of insecurity. Body Dysmorphic Disorder is defined as a mental health disorder in which you cannot stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). This means that one intensely focuses on their appearance, often daily, to where it causes real destress and often anxiety. People of all ages use these types of apps so it is important for more people to be aware of the implications it can have on our mental health.
So how is someone’s life affected if they have Body Dysmorphia Disorder? These negative thoughts can travel into social situations in work, school, and even their social circle. This may cause people to be distracted or avoid social situations altogether, leading to possibly a more unfulfilling life. Some of the easily recognizable symptoms include believing that you are severely ugly or deformed, having a strong belief that others recognize your “ugly” appearance, and being exceptionally preoccupied with your flaws. Other than negative thoughts, many perform obsessive behaviors such as skin picking, checking in mirrors, and seeking approval from others about their appearance.
According to the International OCD Foundation, about 1.7% to 2.9% of the population have BDD, this equates to about 1 in 50 people. Given how often people exhibit these behaviors it is fairly common to spot these behaviors in others or ourselves. A personal example of this that I see myself doing is when I get acne, I think that everyone is paying attention to my pimples and not seeing me. Most of us can find examples of these thoughts in ourselves or observe them in others, making it an extremely prevalent problem in society.
Along with the symptoms that Body Dysmorphia results in, it can also result in many other mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. These disorders are more likely to get out of hand and cause real distress in people’s lives. In some cases, cognitive behavioral therapy or even medications may be recommended, but there are a couple of things that can be done to seek preventative measures by yourself.
TIPS:
Practice Mindfulness
Relaxation Exercises
Join a Support Group
Pay Attention to Warning Signs
Avoid Drugs and Alcohol
These tips are useful for people who are currently experiencing body dysmorphia and for those who are seeking prevention. Seeking prevention for those who are on social media frequently is important because of the increase of negative thoughts and behaviors that those applications have on people.
We must keep in mind that social media is not the sole cause of Body Dysmorphia, but it is a precursor for the disorder. Social media is used by all ages and can influence a person’s perception of themselves no matter who they are. Since this disorder is so prevalent in today’s world, it is important to raise more awareness to find more ways to prevent and cope.
References
I. (2021). What is BDD? https://bdd.iocdf.org/
M. (2019). Body dysmorphic disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353938
Staff, M. (2021). What is mindfulness? Mindful. https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/