Distorted Body Image

When i was in my teens, i had some abnormal body image of myself. I felt too fat when i was just the right weight for my height. When i obsessed around for opinions, all said i looked just fine and i totally didnt believe them. At my worst, i starved myself for weeks with probably only a can of Pepsi between a few days while i jogged for one hour before school and another hour of aerobics in the evenings. I could almost feel my stomach walls sticking to each other front to back at one point.

But it went away after i started working and (cough! cough!) had my share of admirers. i was lucky i guess! And it just left me totally after childbirth and suddenly a few extra pounds did look so bad either! lol!

But yea, i can still remember the time i felt the need to camouflage myself in baggy clothings and move in such a way my 'distortion' were not too obvious. The funny thing i thought it was only happened to me till recently i came across something called 'distorted body image.'

Some people have it so bad that they spend thousands in corrective surgeries that they are never satisfied with. Some of them are so beautiful it just doesnt make sense how they could even consider themselves ugly.

These are what the experts got to say:-

Distorted body image

We all worry about the way we look from time to time, but what happens when that goes too far and we end up feeling ugly or obese? Find out here.

What causes it?

Genetic makeup or stresses such as family conflict are thought to play a part. It can also be seen in some people who have depression or psychosis. Research shows that distorted body image also affects young females more often than males.

What happens?

The most common type of distortion is seen in anorexia, where a dangerously thin person thinks that they are fat. Some people get fixated on one part of their body, worrying too much about pimples, or the shape of their breasts, nose or penis. An extreme form of distorted body image is called Dysmorphic Body Disorder (DBD).

When does it need treatment?

People who think they are ugly withdraw from daily life. They spend less time with their friends, lose concentration on their work and studies, and use up all their time and energy obsessing about the way they look. It can make them very depressed, and takes away their personal freedom and enjoyment of life. Anorexics harm their bodies and put their lives at risk by excessive dieting.

What help is available?

Someone with a serious eating disorder is often admitted to hospital. Behaviour modification, psychotherapy, group therapy and family therapy can all be helpful. Medication is available to control depression and psychosis.

Many thanks to Dr Ghazala Afzal and Florence Nightingale Hospitals for their help with this article