Body Dysmorphic Disorder

In the "Illusion of Youth" passage within the "Managing Impressions" section of the text, Newman briefly touches on a condition called body dysmorphic disorder:  "And about 2% of the population is so self-conscious about their looks that their lives are constricted in some significant way, from feeling inhibited during lovemaking to becoming homebound or even suicidal" (Newman 167).

I was first introduced to this condition on the Oprah Winfrey show. Two of her guests were young, attractive people suffering with body dysmorphic disorder.  They were so limited by their condition that they could not drive because of the mirrors involved (they'd get into crashes due to looking into the mirrors instead of at the road). And, if I remember correctly, neither of them were able to work. They truly thought of themselves as monsters. I couldn't find a clip of this episode, but I was able to find a similar one from the Dr. Phil Show (you really only need to watch the first few minutes to understand what it's all about):

I can't imagine being one of Diana's loved ones. In the clip, her mother says that when she tells Diana that she's beautiful, Diana responds, "Mother, don't lie to me."  How helpless everyone around her must feel. 

Body dysmorphic disorder is an extreme psychological condition, but research shows that 30 to 40% of U.S. adults are concerned with their physical appearance. Another study showed that 90% of white and 30% of black teens are not satisfied with their bodies (the difference between those two figures is explained more on page 164). I, too, often feel dissatisfied with my physical appearance. I think the key is to learn to focus on  the good things we have going for us and to pay less attention to physical flaws.

Newman, David. Sociology. Ed 8. 2010.