Who we are today is a product of who we were yesterday.
As cosmetic surgery becomes more available and affordable, people with perceived physical flaws turn to science to fix what they apparently think is wrong. Some may be left satisfied with the changes in their bodies after the surgery but some are constantly urging for perfection despite proper education on the results of these surgeries.
Now surgeons are often blamed by this misfortune. Patients then turn to social media to disgrace the surgeon and they are absolutely at a loss how to conquer it. It turns out there are some people who will never be satisfied with their bodies. They will never be satisfied despite constantly being under the knife.
Then comes a recent study of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in cosmetic surgery patients by Dr. Mark Constantian. It is noted that extreme dissatisfaction with cosmetic surgery may have a deeper root on childhood trauma. This study sheds light on the significant increase of dissatisfied patients relative to childhood trauma and BDD.
Studies show that 49% of surgical patients suffered from emotional abuse while some are suffering from emotional neglect and living with drug/alcohol abuse at 43% and 40 % respectively.
It is important to note the patient’s general well being before undergoing cosmetic surgery. This will lessen dissatisfied patients and settle agreements on anticipated outcome.
Our general well being is often defined by the circumstances we had to go through in early years.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The flaw perceived by the patient may be non- existent or very minor.
Dr. Katherine Phillips told the Cosmetic Surgery times that plastic surgery is rarely a fix to these patients. Patients have developed a clear state of mind on their physical flaws rendering all other options obsolete. It’s not the surgeon’s fault neither the patient’s. It is a state of their physical conditioning that hinders them from fully seeing the improvement.
- Trauma (abuse/neglect) history was the most significant mediator between patient satisfaction and number of operations and the most prominent factor driving surgery in patients with milder deformities,” the researchers wrote.
The research shows that 90% of patients with three or more operations have experienced emotional distress during childhood. Some of these patients go to a surgeon’s office to relieve the feeling of worthlessness rendered to them by their childhood experiences. Most get under the knife to boost their self esteem.
- The patient needs to understand that there is no such thing as perfect.
Childhood trauma can produce people who are perfectionists. These patients tend to become irrational as they seek physical perfection. It is often difficult to reason with them. Therefore, the most effective way for them to be satisfied with their current physical form is to make them understand that perfection can never be achieved.
- BDD is a very treatable condition
A shift in perspective can often lead others to fully accept their physical form and fully embrace their imperfections. These issues can be addressed by seeking help from a professional to gain a different view of beauty.
“BDD causes sufferers to become preoccupied by perceived body flaws to the extent that they can’t function properly.”
“It’s not an unrecognized genetic abnormality or a neurotransmitter problem. They started off in an abusive situation.”
“The problem is with their tendency to focus on tiny details, to obsess and worry about how they look with an inability to see the big picture.”
For more about the topic, take time to read the full article in http://ift.tt/1rpGNsX
from
http://ift.tt/1XWPYzL
No comments:
Post a Comment