User:Jackhan8582/Body dysmorphic disorder

Photo used in a Quora discussion where the author was asking other users if Snapchat also changes their face to "look better" than real life.

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Social media

See also: Instagram face

Constant use of social media and "selfie taking" may translate into low self-esteem and body dysmorphic tendencies. The sociocultural theory of self-esteem states that the messages given by media and peers about the importance of appearance are internalized by individuals who adopt others' standards of beauty as their own. Due to excessive social media use and selfie taking, individuals may become preoccupied about presenting an ideal photograph for the public. Specifically, females' mental health has been the most affected by persistent exposure to social media. Girls with BDD present symptoms of low self-esteem and negative self-evaluation. Due to social media’s expectations, a factor of why individuals have body dysmorphia can come from women comparing themselves with media images of ideal female attractiveness, a perceived discrepancy between their actual attractiveness and the media’s standard of attractiveness is likely to result. Researchers in Istanbul Bilgi University and Bogazici University in Turkey found that individuals who have low self-esteem participate more often in trends of taking selfies along with using social media to mediate their interpersonal interaction in order to fulfill their self-esteem needs. The self-verification theory, explains how individuals use selfies to gain verification from others through likes and comments. Social media may therefore trigger one's misconception about their physical look. Similar to those with body dysmorphic tendencies, such behavior may lead to constant seeking of approval, self-evaluation and even depression. In 2019 systematic review using Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases was used to identify social networking site patterns. In particular appearance focused social media use was found to be significantly associated with greater body image dissatisfaction. It is highlighted that comparisons appear between body image dissatisfaction and BDD symptomatology. They concluded that heavy social media use may mediate the onset of sub-threshold BDD. Individuals with BDD tend to engage in heavy plastic surgery use. In 2018, the plastic surgeon Dr. Tijon Esho coined term "Snapchat Dysmorphia" to describe a trend of patients seeking plastic surgeries to mimic "filtered" pictures. Filtered photos, such as those on Instagram and Snapchat, often present unrealistic and unattainable looks that may be a causal factor in triggering BDD.

Fitness culture also plays a role in the link between social media and body dysmorphia. The rise in fitness influencers via Tik-Tok and Instagram reels has created a spike in recent conversations surrounding body dysmorphia due to the standards that they set up for their viewers. Bodybuilders such as Chris Bumstead (also known as Cbum) and recent youtube sensation Sam Sulek have become role models for young teens who have come to the internet for guidance and inspiration for their fitness endeavors. While these internet personalities may have good intentions and are merely documenting their progress towards their own goals, their platforms can set up unrealistic standards for their viewers. Famous fitness influencers have only made such big names for themselves because of their incredible physiques, but they are not always transparent about how they obtained those physiques. They can sometimes guarantee their viewers success in the gym through dedication and hard work alone, while failing to mention if they are on performance-enhancing drugs or acknowledging that genetics play a huge part in one's physique. Viewers might then fall under the misconception that they can achieve a similar physique on their own, which can make them more susceptible to body dysmorphia.

Treatment

Medication and psychotherapy[edit]

Anti-depressant medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are considered effective. SSRIs can help relieve obsessive–compulsive and delusional traits, while cognitive-behavioral therapy can help patients recognize faulty thought patterns. A study was done by Dr. Sabine Wilhelm where she and her colleagues created and tested a treatment manual specializing in BDD symptoms that resulted in improved symptoms with no asymptomatic decline.

CBT is a commonly-recommended treatment across the board for all disorders that fall under the category of obsessive-compulsive. This is because CBT aims at the psychological root of the issue by helping patients cultivate an understanding of their problems, reducing self-obsession, and reducing self-deprecating coping strategies. It also incorporates elements of exposure therapy to help the patient rewire the way their disorder affects them. The National Institute for Health recommends CBT for BDD following a protocol of 16-24 sessions. Core treatment elements include Psychoeducation and Case Formulation, Cognitive Restructuring, Exposure and Ritual Prevention and Mindfulness/Perceptual Retraining. Before treatment, it can help to provide psychoeducation, as with self-help books and support websites.