Unmasking Body Dysmorphia
In my opinion, the only word to describe body dysmorphia is insidious. It is an issue that has haunted the minds of countless young adults. The feeling of uncomfortableness constantly lurks in the shadows, not afraid of who it may take next.
This topic in particular hits close to home for me as for many years I wrestled with the grip that body dysmorphia held over me. On two occasions I have battled with bulimia and the emotional scars that it leaves behind.
The United Kingdom is traditionally seen as a very stoic country with traditional and “old school” values. Many of the higher-ups in our country hold a stiff upper lip regarding mental health. People who struggle with body dysmorphia tend to suffer in silence as there is simply a lack of understanding not just in this country, but throughout the entire world. I am one of many young adults around the world who felt unheard and scared of my own body. For myself, doctors felt like a meal supplement (called Ensure) would be a standalone solution to my eating problems. Truth be told, it’s a fraction of the help that I needed. Like many others, I was looking for guidance and support on how to create a healthy and balanced diet and how to heal my severely underweight frame. Unfortunately, that support never came and I spent years of trial and error in regards to my diet. The inconsistency led to a relapse and a second bulimia diagnosis after I worked so hard to beat it the first time.
A major contributing factor to this problem is the lack of awareness throughout the general public about how to support individuals who struggle with body dysmorphia. Unfortunately, help surrounding eating disorders is not common knowledge and the stigma surrounding body dysmorphia only exacerbates societal ignorance. If we are to stand any chance of helping society, we need to have those difficult conversations and educate the general public. To receive this education, society has to recognise how debilitating these struggles are and to support the people who are hurting, inside and out.
The UK government needs to acknowledge the need for a new universal support system for people with eating disorders as the current model simply doesn’t work. The first step towards change is acknowledgement, and we all know that change is desperately needed. Anybody who suffers from eating problems deserves a fair chance at recovery.
I would like to take the time to thank you, the reader, for delving into such a deep and personal topic with me. Awareness is the first step towards change. Progress can be made at a switch of a button if we can at least acknowledge the issues that perpetuate our society. I wish you nothing but the best for the week ahead. Goodbye for now.