Do you absolutely hate one part of your body? Your nose, your thighs, your belly, etc? Does your hatred of said body part fill a large part of your thoughts? This may actually be Body Dysmorphic Disorder. There’s an online test that you can take that might help you decide if you have this, and if you think you do, maybe you should consider seeing a doctor about it.
To be honest, I never realized this was an actual ‘disorder.’ I thought it was normal. As teenagers my friends and myself would talk about our most hated feature obsessively, and then give reassurance to each other that it wasn’t that bad. Still, even with our friends reassurance, we all worried so much about this feature of ours that made us ‘freaks.’
I know people get tired of hearing this (at least I do), but we really are in a society where looks matter. People critique each others weight, youthful appearance, athletic inclinations, etc. People look at what you wear and how it fits your body. I hate this, and you might also, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t true.
Obsessing about a ‘flawed’ body part is really about anxiety. Being scared of it, and being scared others notice it and might judge you ill for it.
Self-acceptance is a hard thing to learn. I may not love my bodies shapeliness, but it is what it is. Hating something about yourself that you can’t do anything about, is really an exercise in fruitlessness. We can’t change our genetics, so why worry about it?
Because I’m not a doctor of any kind, I can say that I think that if this body part upsets you so much, you might consider getting plastic surgery. If it’s going to give you peace, and help you towards accepting yourself the way you are – go for it. Who cares if someone judges you for it? It’s not for them, it’s for you.
And maybe try viewing yourself with a little humor. One of the best things I did in my own journey of self-acceptance was to write an ode to my physical imperfections. Hee, hee – sometimes being silly is just the medicine the ‘doctor’ orders.
Best Wishes,
Rose
