Do you ever have the feeling that you don’t like the way you look in the mirror or photographs? When we are not satisfied with our appearance, there is constant need to attain perfect looking standards.  

Celebrities are often considered as the epitome of perfection and beauty.  Seemingly oblivious to their struggle to meet those standards. Sometimes, the audience heaps their expectations on them to appear as a certain body shape, which affects the mental makeup of the person, leading to conditions like Body Dysmorphia. 

Popular Filmmaker and Director, Karan Johar often remains in limelight for his versatile personality and major hits that he gave to Bollywood. 

 Recently, he disclosed about Body Dysmorphia— a mental health condition in which a person can’t stop thinking about the flaws in appearance.  

A flaw that appears minor or can’t be seen by others, but this mental condition may compel people to feel so uncomfortable, embarrassed and ashamed that the affected person starts avoiding interaction with people or to have social situations.  

In a recent interview, Karan Johar opened about suffering from Body Dysmorphia. He spoke about how he would always prefer baggy clothes and be very conscious of getting into the pool.  

“I have body dysmorphia; I am very awkward getting into a pool. I don’t know how to do it without feeling pathetic. I’ve tried very hard to overcome it. No matter what success you achieve, no matter who you think you are in your own head,” he added.  

Further, he outlined that Body shaming is a sign of body dysmorphic disease. Despite taking multiple therapies, his battle remains constant, and nothing has changed since he was eight. Even if I lose weight, and I try very hard, I’m always battling with it, but I’m always feeling I’m fat. So, I don’t want you to see any part of my body,” said Johar. 

Adding more about his disorder, the 52-year-old filmmaker also revealed his uneasiness in the situations of intimacy. “I need to put the lights out. I’ve been to therapy for it. All these issues…all fester and create mental health issues. I even took medication after suffering from a panic attack,” he added.  

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) 

As per John Hopkins Medicine, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition, in which the individual may upset his mental balance, because of his extreme dissatisfaction with the way he looks. 

 This condition can be a setback to psychological and biological Development.  

The person may have negative thoughts, which sometimes are hard to resist, even leading to suicidal thoughts at times.  

Causes of Body Dysmorphic Disorder 

The Body Dysmorphic disorder might be a result of living in a toxic and unhealthy environment, bad psychological thoughts and other biological factors.  

Bullying or teasing may create or foster unhealthy patterns like embarrassment, inadequacy and shame etc. 

Symptoms for Body Dysmorphic Disorder 

• Constantly checking yourself in mirrors 

• Avoiding seeing yourself 

• Try to cover or hide your physique or body parts, under baggy clothes, makeup or scarf etc. 

• Constant grooming 

• Comparing yourself with others 

• Always asking people about how you look 

• Avoiding social gatherings and activities 

• Feeling anxious, depressed and ashamed 

• Thinking of Suicide 

The lifelong struggle with Self-loathing and not comfortable in their own skin leads to Body Dysmorphic disease. If it remains untreated, this can lead to some serious or life-threatening complications such as, obsessive compulsive disorder, abnormalities, trauma, anxiety disorder etc.