It is often said that body image issues are suffered by those who choose to focus on physical appearances rather than issues occurring on the emotional or physical level. One of the most common body image issues suffered by individuals is a disliking of their body weight, which if left untreated can lead to eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa. Cosmetic body image issues, such as constantly focusing on the size of certain body parts or the texture and look of the skin, are also quite common. Most psychology experts believe that those who do not receive proper counseling or therapy might attempt unnecessary surgeries or go to other lengths to achieve an ideal perfection.
The most common body image issue suffered by many people involves body weight, which plagues both women and men of all ages and races. If an individual is truly struggling with being overweight, she can become depressed at what she sees in the mirror and avoid social outings due to the lack of self-esteem and confidence. Some individuals who are suffering from eating disorders like anorexia nervosa can feel as though they are overweight, yet be quite thin and emaciated. This body image disorder can become a severe psychological illness that often involves young adolescents of both sexes, making body image an important subject to discuss carefully with growing children.
Plastic surgery is one of the many applications a person may use to change her appearance, and can become addicting for those who suffer from various body image issues. One of the most common forms of plastic surgery is rhinoplasty, which involves changing the shape and size of the nose for cosmetic or medical purposes. Individuals who do not receive proper guidance or counseling may repeat this procedure many times if they are suffering from a deep lack of self-confidence or fulfillment. It is often recommended that these individuals receive the appropriate psychological guidance from a therapist or psychoanalyst to help discover why these issues are present.
Premature aging, such as wrinkling and sagging of the skin, can lead to body image issues in some individuals, and often results in the use of cosmetics, surgeries or injections. Surgeries may be quite dangerous, as well as quite expensive and time consuming. These image issues are not often thought of as a mental disorder, like eating disorders, yet they can still cause a problem by distracting the person from finding the true cause of their psychological patterns. As with any body image issue, it is important for individuals to receive the proper counseling and therapy to determine if they are choosing to focus on physical appearance as a substitute for a real problem.
