Director and producer, Karan Johar recently revealed that he has been going through a mental health condition called body dysmorphia. Bollywood is known for its unusual expectations of physical appearance from the industry members. Actors are known to have gone on strict diets and tiring workout regimes to mark the benchmark set by the beauty industry. Karan Johar opened up about battling this condition and that he “couldn’t even look at himself in the mirror”.
What is body dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) or commonly called as body dysmorphia is defined by the NHS as “a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. These flaws are often unnoticeable to others. People of any age can have BDD, but it’s most common in teenagers and young adults. It affects both men and women. Having BDD does not mean you’re vain or self-obsessed. It can be very upsetting and have a big impact on your life.”
In a podcast hosted by Raj Shamani, the Bollywood icon opened up about his journey and how he “still feels ashamed” of his body even now at the age of 52. He also revealed in a previous interview that people were speculating whether he was on ozempic, the popular insulin drug used for weight loss. While he didn’t negate those claims he said that he was recently diagnosed with thyroid.
Common signs of BDD
As per the NHS, body dysmorphia worry a lot about a specific area of one’s body and end up spending a lot of time comparing your looks with other people. Body dysmorphia leads you to conceal your flaws such as spending a long time combing your hair and choosing clothes. Skin picking is also a common sign of your body responding to its dysmorphia. NHS reveals that it can seriously impact the daily life including your social life and relationships. In extreme cases, it may lead to depression, self-harm and thouhgts of suicide.
Can you treat body dysmorphic disorder?
Symptoms can get better when BDD is given proper treatment. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been proven for mild cases of BDD. However, a person in a depressive state will be prescribed anti-depressants.
Causes of BDD
While science and psychology has not found a singular cause for mental health conditions yet, body dysmorphia has been associated with genetics, chemical imbalance or a traumatic experience.
In the modern age of medicine, “skinny shots” such as Oxzempic and Mounjaro have become alternatives to orthodox methods of weight loss. Originally meant for diabetic patients, this insulin shot has been rumoured with several celebrity weight-loss journeys. Due to its high cost, it has become a luxurious new method to shed body insecurities.
link