Body Dysmorphia: Beyond the Mirror

This article aims to shed light on body dysmorphia, a common disorder often diminished to a mere insecurity 

Image of a woman suffering from Body Dysmorphia. Image provided by ShutterStock

Introduction 

In light of International Women's Day (8 March 2025), I want to take a moment to celebrate women's strengths and resilience. It is, however, also a moment to reflect on the challenges women continue to face, including the deep-seated issue of body image struggles. In an era where everyone seems to have ‘picture-perfect’ bodies - such as hourglass figures-, the pressure to look ‘perfect’ has never been more pressing. Exerting yourself to look in a ‘socially acceptable’ way can lead to one feeling uncomfortable in their own skin, in many cases choosing to undergo plastic surgery, and, in extreme cases, one may officially get diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder: they decide to starve themselves and develop eating disorders. 

What is Body Dysmorphia? 

Have you ever disliked the way you looked in the mirror? Have you ever doubted people when they called you pretty? Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a condition in which individuals obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance—flaws often invisible to others. This obsession can lead to anxiety, depression, and compulsive behaviors such as excessive mirror-checking, avoidance of social situations, or extreme measures like excessive exercising and cosmetic procedures. Longitudinal studies have found that body dissatisfaction is more prevalent in females than males. 

The Role of Social Media and Beauty Standards

With the rise of filters, photo editing and influencer culture, unrealistic beauty standards have become the norm. Feelings of inadequacy plagues as social media prompts comparison of our bodies to what we see online. In fact, research suggests that spending more time on social media can increase symptoms of body dysmorphia. Among other functions, social media has become the ultimate platform for spreading and fostering beauty trends. It’s no secret that platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become beauty trend factories, churning out new looks faster, allowing trends to go viral within hours, reaching millions worldwide. Hashtags, challenges, and tutorials make it easy for users to discover and adopt new beauty practices such as the “fox eye” trend, inspired by the sharp, elongated eye shapes seen on celebrities like Bella Hadid. These may seem like harmless fun, but the constant exposure to flawless faces and impossible physiques can mess with our self-esteem.

Ever seen those “What I Eat In A Day” videos and thought, ‘Should I be eating like that?’ The widespread popularity of these videos is evident, with hashtags like #WhatIEatInADay amassing over 11 billion views on TikTok. These clips can be fun to watch on the surface, but they’re often not the healthiest influence.  Conventionally, the What I Eat In A Day creator prefaces the clip with “I’m a dietitian” or “I’m a model”; by establishing some ethos of doubtful origin, these content creators will likely influence younger audiences into emulating their diets and lifestyles. These diet plans are often quite restrictive, cultivating an unhealthy relationship with food. While some creators focus on balance, others unknowingly promote disordered eating by showcasing meals that don’t provide enough nutrients for the average person.

We all love a good transformation story, but let’s be real—many of those “before and after” fitness posts aren’t telling the full story. From perfect lighting to sneaky editing, some influencers create unrealistic expectations, making it seem like achieving a dream body is as easy as following their “10-minute abs” workout. As their dramatic results don’t reflect in the practices of their acolytes, disappointment and despondency are what ultimately transpires. The reality that many do not understand is that real fitness progress takes months and years of disciplined and routine life. Rome wasn’t and cannot be built in a day. 

The Bright and Empowering Side of Social Media

Fortunately, there is a growing awareness of body positivity on social media, with female influencers such as Megan Jayne Crabbe and Sarah Nicole Landry leading the change. They are well-known on Instagram for promoting self-love and acceptance. They’re ditching the filters, sharing unedited photos, and reminding us that all bodies are beautiful—yes, even with cellulite, stretch marks, and tummy rolls. Attesting to the influence of beauty standards online, a study published by the American Psychological Association found that teens and young adults who reduced their social media use by 50% for a few weeks experienced significant improvement in how they felt about their weight and appearance compared to peers who maintained regular social media usage.

Conclusion: Celebrating Strong and Healthy Women

So, this International Women’s Day, let’s take control of our social media feeds. Unfollow toxic beauty standards and embrace our unique bodies. As we honor Women's Month, it is crucial to advocate for a world where women feel empowered in their skin.