Despite constantly evolving modern medicine, research, and technology in nursing and healthcare, there are still so many conditions that we are yet to see simple prevention for or quick fixes to. Body dysmorphia, specifically in the form of ‘phantom fat’ is just one of these conditions.
What is body dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition that causes a person to view their own physical appearance unfairly. According to data from the Cleveland Clinic, BDD as a whole affects approximately 2.4 per cent of adults in the United States and is slightly more common in women and people assigned female at birth. A person suffering from body dysmorphia typically perceives negative qualities within their appearance that are likely completely unnoticeable or insignificant to others.
BDD is often misunderstood or labeled as ‘vanity’, but it can in fact be an incredibly serious condition that has a significant impact on the daily functioning of a person. Individuals suffering from body dysmorphia can experience anxiety, shame, and depression caused by the ‘problems’ they see within their appearance. BDD is not to be confused with eating disorders, while many people tend to group them together they do not necessarily go hand in hand.
Who is at risk of developing body dysmorphia?
People of any age or gender can suffer BDD, but it most commonly starts in the teenage years and there are more reports of it in women. While anyone can develop body dysmorphia, there are some risk factors:
- Blood relatives who suffer from BDD or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Trauma such as childhood bullying or abuse
- Exposure to societal pressure and beauty standards
- Other mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and OCD
Symptoms of body dysmorphia
BDD can present differently across different cases, but there are some common symptoms to watch out for:
- Constant comparison to others’ physical appearances
- Persistent negativity relating to own physical appearance
- Obsessive behaviors relating to physical appearances, such as constantly looking in the mirror and grooming
- Commitment to very strict dieting or exercising habits
- Hiding or changing ‘flaws’ with styling, making, or cosmetic procedures
- Feel unsatisfied with changes to physical appearance
- Avoiding social situations or previously enjoyed activities
- Avoiding situations where one’s body might be exposed, such as changing rooms
Types of body dysmorphia
There are two common types of BDD: muscle dysmorphia and BDD by proxy. Muscle dysmorphia is characterized by a belief that one is too small or lean, and not muscular enough. A person suffering from muscle dysmorphia might in fact be quite muscular, although they don’t see it. Muscle dysmorphia tends to affect more males than females, and typically presents in the late teenage or early adult years.
BDD by proxy, on the other hand, is characterized by perceived imperfection in another person’s appearance. A person suffering from BDD by proxy can have a ‘person of concern’, or multiple, who they spend up to hours every day thinking about, with a focus on perceived negative traits in their appearance. A person of concern is often someone who is close to the person suffering from BDD by proxy, and the focus is often on the person’s skin or hair, although it could also be on body shape or other concerns such as the physical signs of aging.
Phantom fat
‘Phantom fat’ is a term used to describe a type of body dysmorphia that occurs after weight loss. It’s a disorder that falls under BDD and describes a person thinking about their own body. Many people embark on an effort to lose weight, for any reason, with the expectation that they will feel more confident or satisfied with their bodies once they have lost weight. While this can be the case for many, it is not so for a person dealing with phantom fat. Phantom fat leaves a person struggling to accept their new body following weight loss, feeling that they still need to lose weight or that their body is still not ‘good enough’. Even if an individual has lost a significant amount of weight, or is smaller than the average person, they might still feel this way. As a form of body dysmorphia, what the sufferer sees is generally not consistent with what the people around them see.
Generally, the problems behind phantom fat exist before a person loses weight; it has more to do with the person’s mental health than it does with their physical body. Someone suffering from phantom fat might have begun their weight loss journey with pre-existing body dysmorphia, whether or not they knew about it. Similarly, they might have another condition such as anxiety or OCD, or be prone to any of the other risk factors previously mentioned.
Treatment options
Anyone dealing with phantom fat, or any form of BDD, should seek help from a mental health professional such as a psychologist. Body dysmorphia can become quite dangerous if left untreated, so it’s incredibly important to get the appropriate help. Therapy will look different for everyone, and this is something that a professional will help to figure out based on individual cases. Some people might need to deal with trauma from their past or work on their self-esteem, others might require medication or something else entirely.
Body dysmorphia is a complex condition, and phantom fat is just one way that it can present. It’s important to know the risk factors, signs, and help available for the safety and well-being of both yourself and those around you.