Filmmaker and producer Karan Johar has often talked about his struggles with his body. In a recent interaction with Indian Express, Johar revealed that he has body dysmorphia, an obsessive–compulsive disorder-related psychiatric condition.
“I have body dysmorphia, I am very awkward getting into a pool. I don’t know how to do it without feeling pathetic. I’ve tried very hard to overcome it. No matter what the success you achieve, no matter who you think you are in your own head, I’m always in oversized clothes. Even if I lose the weight, and I try very hard, I’m always battling with it, but I’m always feeling I’m fat. So I don’t want you to see any part of my body,” Johar said.
What is body dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition that disrupts how you see and feel about your own body and appearance. According to Cleveland Clinics, body dysmorphia can negatively impact your quality of life and how you feel about yourself. It is noteworthy that the condition has a high risk of self-harming or suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
BDD is most likely to start in your teens or early adult years. People usually develop BDD around 12 or 13 years old. Two-thirds of people with BDD develop it before age 18. However, BDD can also start in adulthood, Cleveland Clinic revealed.
What are the symptoms of body dysmorphia?
Signs and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder include:
- Being extremely preoccupied with a perceived flaw in appearance that to others can’t be seen or appears minor
- Strong belief that you have a defect in your appearance that makes you ugly or deformed
- Belief that others take special notice of your appearance in a negative way or mock you
- Engaging in behaviors aimed at fixing or hiding the perceived flaw that are difficult to resist or control, such as frequently checking the mirror, grooming or skin picking
- Attempting to hide perceived flaws with styling, makeup or clothes
- Constantly comparing your appearance with others
- Frequently seeking reassurance about your appearance from others
- Having perfectionist tendencies
- Seeking cosmetic procedures with little satisfaction
- Avoiding social situations
According to Mayo Clinic, the most common features people tend to fixate about include:
- Face, such as nose, complexion, wrinkles, acne and other blemishes
- Hair, such as appearance, thinning and baldness
- Skin and vein appearance
- Breast size
- Muscle size and tone
- Genitalia
What are the complications related to body dysmorphia?
Complications that may be caused by or associated with body dysmorphic disorder include, for example:
- Low self-esteem
- Social isolation
- Major depression or other mood disorders
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Eating disorders
- Substance misuse
- Health problems from behaviors such as skin picking
- Physical pain or risk of disfigurement due to repeated surgical interventions
How body dysmorphia is treated?
Treatment for body dysmorphic disorder often includes a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medications, Mayo Clinic revealed.