dbody ismorphism in children, a disorder that is being talked about more and more often. To address the issue recently was also a new Disney short. Entitled reflectthe animated short has Bianca as its protagonist, a young dancer plus size struggling with the self-image that the mirror gives her back, an image that terrifies her and which she finally manages to accept only by letting herself go to the strength of her passion for dance. At the heart of the short film, therefore, the theme of the difficult relationship with one’s body, a problem that today seems to be common to many very young people, already in the preadolescence stage and which in some cases can take on the features of a real psychological disorder, the so-called body dysmorphia.
Body dysmorphia: what it is
«In the past it was called dysmorphophobia – explains the doctor Ylenia Canavesio, psychologist and developmental psychotherapist at Humanitas Psico Medical Care – it is a real mental disorder recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Body dysmorphia falls into the broader area of obsessive-compulsive disorders, with whom it shares some characteristics».
How it manifests itself
Sufferers of this disorder tend to exhibit typical behaviors.
“Body dysmorphia is manifested by the preoccupation with one or more aspects of one’s body which they are perceived as inadequate or characterized by imperfections that do not have such an objective confirmation in real life. – explains the psychologist – Those who suffer from this disorder tend to tocalling oneself ugly, anomalous, deformed. There perception of these presumed defects has a profound impact on the quality of life and ends up being a source of malaise and profound unease”.
Concerns about one’s physical appearance, in fact, take on the traits of a real obsession which, as such, cannot be kept under control.
“To keep these worries at bay, gods are usually put in place compulsive, repetitive behaviors – explains Dr. Canavesio – the most typical ones are continue to compare your body with that of otherscheck yourself several times at the mirror during the day, overindulging in self-care but also to undergo multiple cosmetic surgeries».
Body dysmorphia in children: when the disorder occurs
«In 2/3 of individuals the onset of the disorder occurs before the age of 18, that is, before adulthood – underlines the expert – however the worrying figure we are dealing with in this historical period is early onset of these disorders that today can also occur in the 11-15 age group, in a moment in itself delicate for the body, at the center of those typical changes of the period».
The role of social media
The early onset of these disorders is probably due to those that are i very narrow canons of beauty proposed by society contemporary and spread today also through the social.
To draw attention to this phenomenon was recently also one study of the Italian Society of Pediatrics published in the scientific journal International Journal of Environmental Research of Public Health. The survey in fact analyzed 68 scientific papers conducted from 2004 to 2022 with the aim of investigate the risks related to the use of social media in under 18s. Risks among which the distortion of perception of one’s own body. The use of image retouching tools before posting a photo on social media leads today more and more often to pursuing models of beauty that are not the real ones and which end up generating insecurity as well as to strongly undermine self-esteem. Especially in the younger ones.
Body dysmorphia in children: the alarm bells
To this, we add the fact that, when it manifests itself in preadolescence, this type of disorder it can be even more difficult to grasp even from the parents.
«It is not so easy to notice that something is wrong – explains Dr. Canavesio – there in fact, pre-adolescence is a period in which physiologically boys are led to have greater attention for their bodies. A body which, as we said, went through important changes in that period».
If the line between physiological and pathological is really very thin, some behaviors can act as a wake-up call.
«Typical behaviors can be look in the mirror a lot examining himself carefully, do comparisons with others, complain about some characteristics of one’s body. And then spend a lot of time taking care of your appearance, perhaps trying to hide some imperfections but also afraid to appear in public.
As we said, they are all behaviors that can be part of a boy’s daily life: what makes the difference is the pervasiveness of these signalsthat is to say how much time these behaviors end up subtracting from the daily life of the children. This is the real wake-up call.”
Body dysmorphia and eating disorders
Although the matrix may look the same, body dysmorphia however, it should not be confused with eating disorders.
“There concern about physical appearance he is alone one of the symptoms of the disturbance of eating behavior: these are different disorders that in some cases can coexist. – explains the expert – Body image is somehow at the center of all these disorders but there are significant differences. In eating disorders there is a specific concern with weight and body fat that is missing in body dysmorphia ».
How to help cultivate a healthy relationship with your body
What is certain is that for prevent discomfort from body dysmorphic disorder or anyway from a lack of acceptance of one’s body, the education plays a key role.
Today we often talk about ‘body positivity’ and just as often the emphasis is placed on the the need to send young people positive messages of inclusiveness and self-acceptancebut neglecting that love and respect for one’s body it is something that has been cultivated since childhood and which can be educated in some way.
“Meanwhile we shouldn’t just talk about body but about body imagehelping young people to understand what this body image is and how it is formed – underlines Dr. Canavesio – It is a very broad concept that goes beyond seeing oneself as beautiful, ugly, thin or overweight. L’body image is in fact the representation that we have, aware and subjective, of our body, or all thatset of thoughts, words, ideas, feelings and judgments that each of us has on our own body. The studies on the subject clearly show us how the reference figures but also the peer group have a great value in the construction of the body image”.
Body dysmorphia in children: the role of parents
First rule: seek, as reference adults, of set a good example and of teach childrenfrom the earliest childhood, to take care of your body.
«What we know from the studies that have been done – concludes the psychologist – is that to have a positive body image allows you to count on a broader definition of beauty and consequently of better appreciate your body even when it does not correspond to the ideals of beauty that are proposed. The body image of young people has an important impact on their physical and mental health: it is therefore only right that in addition to diversity awareness programs, the right teachings are conveyed in the family».
In the gallery, then, some useful suggestions for an education dedicated to body positivity.
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