preview

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Better Essays

Body Dysmorphic Disorder Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD is something that has been rather controversial in the past. Is it something that could be linked to society as a whole? Could it even be something that has been implanted in us at an early age? Probably so, studies have shown that in the past that BDD can be brought about by the stigmas that are placed on us when we are young by the media. Some would say that this phenomenon is something that could be completely avoided if we just take away what it means to be perfect in the world’s eyes today. Perfection is something that we have been taught to strive for since we were still in our mother’s wombs, mothers and fathers go around saying that their child is their perfect little Angel. When …show more content…

In teenagers, BDD will eventually take over their life. Teens are influenced by something called the “buy me, wear me, be me” phenomenon. This message is put out by the stars in Hollywood, as well as all over the world in things like New York Fashion Week, and fashion shows all around the world featuring celebrities that are generally characterized as flawless. Everyone wants the celebrity body that has been photo shopped to look absolutely perfect with nonexistent body fat. This is something that needs particular attention especially when dealing with the puberty years when the body is trying to make your body in to an adult with the voice changes, and the ever so lovely, acne; this is when the teenager’s life can begin to turn upside down. In teenage boys, body image is something that is relatively the same. In boys, the problem is not only that they are not thin enough for the outside world, there is also a problem with not being muscular enough, spawning the disorder off of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder, or MDD. MDD is a disorder much like BDD; however, it focuses on the muscles only. This disorder makes boys crave the body of the world’s models. This need to look like a bodybuilder is spawned by the media. When certain ads are on television, they make us feel like we could ultimately achieve that same look as they have which in all reality, results like the one’s shown on television are not typical. This feeling makes teenage boys start eating larger portions of food and start lifting more weights that could potentially injure him. Typically, feelings such as this make the boy engage in potentially destructive activities such as engage in performance enhancing drugs. These compounds include anabolic steroids and human growth hormone which can be purchased over the internet illegally” (Knobloch,

Get Access