What is it?
Dysmorphophobia literally means fear of one's body. This disorder, in which a person is very critical of his body, sees some shortcomings, which he considers terrible. Others may not notice this "terrible ugliness", however, the patient is sure that his appearance is terrible, even if objectively it is not so. Contrary to the opinion that women are more often affected by this disease, recent studies have shown that dysmorphophobia is equally common in both men and women. This disorder often becomes the cause of suicide. People with a similar disease often use the services of plastic surgeons, if not prevent them from doing so. The result and the number of operations will never satisfy the patient.
To a greater or lesser degree, dysmorphophobia occurs in almost every person. Someone categorically does not like his own figure or nose shape, someone is not satisfied with the growth or color of the hair. But if a healthy person fights with his or her shortcomings or reconciles with them, then people suffering from a severe form of this disorder develop maniacal ideas that often lead to a person who can not function normally in society and even serve himself.
Symptoms
Recognize this disease is not difficult - it is easy to distinguish from ordinary coquetry, when a person criticizes his own appearance. As a rule, people suffering from dysmorphophobia, or can not tear themselves away from the mirror, or do not tolerate mirrors at all. Sometimes this is transferred to the photos too - a person refuses to be photographed, as he is afraid that he will receive another confirmation of his own ugliness. A person can hide his appearance in all ways, sometimes extravagant make-up and specific clothes serve for these purposes. The patient is easy to distinguish and talk - they always revolve around his appearance and distract a person to something else is almost impossible.
Most often, this disease occurs in adolescents and is easily corrected by working with a psychotherapist. Launched cases in which a person can not concentrate either on study or at work, is much more difficult to cure.
How to help
If you or someone from your environment has a similar frustration, it is important not to drop your hand and do not write a person to the crazy. This is not a mental disorder, in which a person ceases to understand who he is and what is happening around him. You just need to turn to a specialist for help, but you can do something yourself.
First, you need to remove all glossy magazines and other sources of false and imposed criteria of beauty from the free access of a person. A person needs to show that other people around him with their shortcomings live around and live happily that the model appearance and an impeccable figure are, rather, an exception than the rule.
Secondly, be attentive to such a person, do not criticize his appearance, but try to say a compliment, for example, about the eyes or the ability to select a wardrobe. This will give confidence to the patient.
Thirdly, such people often gather around themselves a whole collection of things that reflect the drawback that, it seems to him, is poisoning life. Suppose a person has scoliosis, which is quite common. With dysmorphophobia scoliosis begins to be perceived as a huge hump and a person can collect books, films and figurines depicting hunchbacked people, while he is sure that he looks exactly the same. Such things must be destroyed.
Dysmorphophobia is not a verdict, this disease is successfully treated, so do not worry that the patient will not regain the quality of life. Everything depends on the seriousness of the intentions to live a normal life. If a person is already unable to adequately assess the situation, then close people can very well help and seek medical advice. You should be aware that the treatment of such a disorder can not be rapid. In each case, its own treatment program and methods are selected, most often this is a comprehensive treatment designed for both bodily practices and work with the psyche. In addition to the disorder itself, other aspects of the person's personality are corrected, which eliminates the relapse of the disease and helps to return to a full life and to perceive oneself according to the real state of affairs.