Body Dysmorphia's Toll on Social Connection

By Vaibhavi

“No, I won't go anywhere; people will probably laugh at me because of my huge nose. It will be better if I stay at home and don't meet anybody.”

This is how the thought process of someone with body dysmorphia works. 

This imagined ‘ugliness’ can make them avoid situations where they have to interact with people, or even just be with people, to avoid getting criticized for their flaws, which causes significant distress in their day-to-day lives. People suffering from BDD tend to isolate themselves from society. The main reason behind social isolation might be the tendency of patients with BDD to be perfectionists when it comes to their appearance. Due to this tendency, they perceive their smallest flaw as something that might cause them to be criticized by others. They may often experience anxiety when going out in public or worry excessively about how others perceive their appearance.

Social Isolation affects nearly all areas of life.

• Low self-esteem is one of the effects of Social Isolation. When someone is socially isolated they lack the support of friends and family to help them build a positive self-image. Without these outside influences, they may begin to doubt their worth and value, leading to decreased self-esteem. Without the support and encouragement of friends and family, it can be difficult to maintain a positive self-image, also leading to a decrease in self-esteem. 
• Constantly being alone and criticizing oneself might lead to depression. This is because social isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, which can have a negative impact on mental health. Loneliness can increase the risk of depression, and it can also lead to negative thoughts and feelings about oneself. 
• People who feel lonely are more likely to compare themselves unfavorably to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and a lack of self-confidence. This fear of judgment comes from our own insecurities. We often assume that other people will judge us harshly, when in reality, nobody really pays attention to such details. We should remember to be kind to ourselves and not let our insecurities stop us from going out and having fun.