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Health Line
3 days ago
- General
- Health Line
Body Dysmorphia After Weight Loss: What to Know
Body dysmorphic disorder (body dysmorphia) results from internal and external experiences. Rapid or significant weight loss may, in some cases, lead to body dysmorphia. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition characterized by someone becoming intensely focused on perceived flaws in their appearance, which are often not visible to others. The difference between BDD and occasional doubts or concerns about your body image is that body dysmorphia is a health condition and presents with intense and persistent symptoms. BD also has a greater impact on daily life. BDD can affect anyone, regardless of gender, size, culture, or shape. For some people, body dysmorphia can develop or intensify after significant weight loss. Is body dysmorphia common after significant weight loss? Research on this topic is limited, but clinical reports suggest body dysmorphia after weight loss is not unusual. Significant weight loss may sometimes create a disconnect between how you feel internally and how you now appear externally. Losing weight may also lead to: excess loose skin muscle loss heightened attention from others (e.g., comments about your physical appearance) social pressure to maintain or increase weight loss Any of these factors could make you feel more self-conscious or promote challenges with your body image, including BDD. A 2023 paper suggested that some people experience 'ghost fat' after rapid weight loss caused by bariatric surgery. 'Ghost fat', or 'phantom fat,' is the feeling that you're larger or heavier than what you are. While ghost fat isn't the same as BDD, it's another experience that can affect body image and mental health. A 2018 study, which surveyed 88 women after bariatric surgery, found that many experienced body image avoidance after surgery. However, avoidance improved over time. Body image avoidance is an attempt to avoid looking at yourself or displaying body features. For example, hiding mirrors, wearing extra-large clothing, and evading photographs. Someone may experience body dysmorphia after significant weight loss, even without having bariatric surgery. Body dysmorphia can affect anyone. What does it feel like to have body dysmorphia? Body dysmorphia can affect both how you feel about yourself and your world, and how you behave. Mental symptoms of body dysmorphia after weight loss The mental symptoms of body dysmorphia may include: constantly thinking about parts of your body you dislike feeling ashamed, disgusted, or embarrassed by your appearance believing you are larger than you are difficulty accepting compliments about your appearance intense fear of gaining weight again Behavioral symptoms of body dysmorphia after weight loss The behavioral symptoms, which can be evident to others, may include: frequently checking mirrors or avoiding them altogether persistent grooming, such as excessive makeup application or clothing changes constantly comparing your body to others, both in person and online avoiding social activities because of body image concerns seeking frequent reassurance about your appearance from friends or family These symptoms often interfere with daily life, affecting work, relationships, and overall mental health. How to manage body dysmorphia after weight loss Body dysmorphia may respond well to treatment. Options often include mental health therapy, medications, and other supportive strategies. Therapy Talking with a mental health professional can help you work through distorted body image thoughts. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can support you in challenging unhelpful thinking patterns and building a new relationship with your body. If you believe you or someone you love has body dysmorphia, consider searching for a therapist who specializes in BDD and other dysmorphia manifestations. »MORE ON THIS: How to find a therapist who's right for you Medication Medication may also help with the severe symptoms of BDD. Some doctors may recommend antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to manage intrusive thoughts and mood changes. SSRIs are the gold standard in treating BDD. The full therapeutic effects of these medications may take up to 12 weeks, but you may experience improvement shortly after you start treatment. However, if SSRIs don't work for you, there are other options. Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you don't feel that your current prescription is helping you manage your symptoms. Self-care and lifestyle changes Other supportive steps you might consider include: practicing mindfulness to reconnect with your body in a nonjudgmental way focusing on body functionality (what your body can do) rather than how it looks limiting time spent on social media, if that tends to trigger you surrounding yourself with people who celebrate body diversity engaging in hobbies and activities that make you feel good setting boundaries if friends or family often comment on weight or appearance
New York Times
07-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
Why Did My Friend Keep Poking Her Husband When I Spoke at Dinner?
Some friends of ours get together monthly for dinner parties. We take turns hosting, and we've been doing this for years. During the last dinner, at our home, I saw a friend poke her husband with her elbow while I was speaking. I didn't think anything of it — until I saw her do it two more times when I was talking that night. I became self-conscious and quieter for the rest of the evening. I've been depressed lately about my husband's declining health, so I may have been talking too much. But no one said anything to me about it. Then, at the end of the evening, this same woman was unusually solicitous when we hugged goodbye. Any advice on how — or whether — I should address this? I would have hoped one of my friends would tell me if I'd been inappropriate. FRIEND I can certainly identify with your self-consciousness about a woman jabbing her husband every time you opened your mouth! The maddening thing about other people, though, is that we rarely know what's going on inside their heads. She may have thought you were talking too much. Or she may have been signaling her agreement (or total disagreement) with whatever it was you were saying. But I suspect that her pokes and warm hug may be hitting you harder than usual because of the sadness you feel about your husband and the way your life may be changing. I doubt these factors would make you suddenly oblivious to social cues, as you fear: Your letter suggests a great deal of emotional intelligence. And while it's nice to fantasize about not caring what other people think of us, the fact is that practically all of us do.
