Facial Dysmorphia: Why Do We Not Like the Way We Look and What to Do About It?

Unlike Narcissus in Greek mythology, most of us usually do not fall in love with our reflections. An errant zit or dark circles from too many late nights or just mood swings can sometimes make you be too harsh on yourself. 

While those fleeting moments of self-loathing are few and most of us get over them soon enough, the problem arises when your opinions about the way you look start affecting your life. Facial dysmorphia is a phenomenon that is rapidly growing without even realising it.

What is it?

Living in a generation where makeup and body correcting apps as well as social media filters are just a click away, it is natural to want to look not like yourself. Dr Geeta Grewal, cosmetic surgeon and wellness expert, 9Muses Wellness Clinic, Gurugram says, "A person suffering from facial dysmorphia or body dysmorphic disorder has a distorted perception about their appearance. Their intense negative thoughts about their facial appearances often start affecting their personal life." 

She adds that for people with facial dysmorphia, the obsession about their self-imagined flaws becomes their biggest source of anxiety. Sometimes the anxiety becomes so severe that the person is likely to adopt reclusive tendencies and avoid social interactions to hide their appearance. 

Facial dysmorphia is rising...

According to some studies, incidents of facial dysmorphia have increased ever since the pandemic because of the use of virtual communication in our day to day activities. Sounds strange? Well, Dr Grewal explains why, "Before the pandemic, we used to converse by looking into the other person’s eyes and holding the contact. But in virtual communication, we end up watching ourselves on the screen and noticing minor imperfections that we wouldn't have noticed otherwise." 

How can you treat it?

Love, support and correct medical guidance can go a long way in treating facial dysmorphia. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help the patient realise how their negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours can cause problems, and how to manage them better with more flexible ways of thinking.

Dr Grewal says, "Some cases may be so severe that they may require psychiatric hospitalization. This is usually recommended when a person is not able to keep up with their day-to-day activities or when they are in immediate danger to themselves or others. One needs to talk to their doctor or a therapist about improving coping skills, and working ways to focus on identifying, monitoring and changing the negative thoughts and behaviours."