A Gendered Difference?
When we think of body dysmorphia (aka body dysmorphic disorder, BDD for short) we may not think of gender being a factor in the issue. To be frank, it isn't: gender dysphoria and body dysmorphia are two different concepts. However, there are certain qualities about body dysmorphia that connect it to gender identity: the standards and expectations set for men and women. Society creates unrealistic expectations that trigger insecurities with a person's self-image, creating the belief of being too fat or too skinny, creating a feeling of discontent with one's body. What people are forced into are cookie-cutter molds that people desperately try to fit into, much like the image shown to the right. For people who don't quite fit those molds - those of the trans and non-binary communities - it's difficult to turn away from society's cut-and-dry expectations.
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(image: "Play at Your Own Risk" by MissMae on flickr.)
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Gender Dysphoria, Body Dysphoria, and Everything in Between!
On the Inside
People often conflate "gender dysphoria" and "body dysmorphia", and this video explains what gender dysphoria feels like.
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Meeting in the Middle
Youtuber Morgan Gale, alongside her friend Molly, discuss their experience with body dysmorphia and gender dysmorphia and their differences from a non-binary perspective.
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On the Outside
This video gives a first-hand perspective of what it feels to go through body dysmorphia and her struggle of a positive self-image as a teenager.
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A small "spoken word" piece!
"Because of That"
Because there is body dysmorphia, there is a conflict.
Because of that, women are forced to be like Barbie dolls.
Because of that, men are forced to be chiseled like Ken.
Because of that, transgender people are forced to fit into either one of those molds.
Because of that, non-binary people do not fit into those molds.
Because of that, people become sensitive and self-conscious of their body.
Because of that, people starve themselves for weeks just to appear skinny.
Because of that, fitness machine ads run on TVs to remind you that it's not enough.
Because of that, diet programs exist, with slimming being the main focus.
Because of that, people are unhappy at themselves for their reflection in the mirror.
Because of that, people kill themselves over what they see.
Because of that, suicidal tendencies for people who have BDD are at 80%.*
Because of that, countless lives are lost, their bodies bent towards a false ideal.
Because of that, they strive for healthiness.
And because of that, they take the unhealthy way out.
Because there is body dysmorphia, there is a conflict.
Because of that, women are forced to be like Barbie dolls.
Because of that, men are forced to be chiseled like Ken.
Because of that, transgender people are forced to fit into either one of those molds.
Because of that, non-binary people do not fit into those molds.
Because of that, people become sensitive and self-conscious of their body.
Because of that, people starve themselves for weeks just to appear skinny.
Because of that, fitness machine ads run on TVs to remind you that it's not enough.
Because of that, diet programs exist, with slimming being the main focus.
Because of that, people are unhappy at themselves for their reflection in the mirror.
Because of that, people kill themselves over what they see.
Because of that, suicidal tendencies for people who have BDD are at 80%.*
Because of that, countless lives are lost, their bodies bent towards a false ideal.
Because of that, they strive for healthiness.
And because of that, they take the unhealthy way out.
References
Buzzcuts, Body Dysmorphia & Gender Dysphoria. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrzGQ4hJQWA&feature=emb_logo
Gender dysphoria: definition, diagnosis, treatment and challenges. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=W669-8aQzTk&feature=emb_logo
What Body Dysmorphic Disorder Feels Like | Body Language. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5de6dP1bXXE&feature=emb_logo
*Phillips, Katharine A. “Suicidality in Body Dysmorphic Disorder.” Primary Psychiatry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2361388/.
Buzzcuts, Body Dysmorphia & Gender Dysphoria. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrzGQ4hJQWA&feature=emb_logo
Gender dysphoria: definition, diagnosis, treatment and challenges. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=W669-8aQzTk&feature=emb_logo
What Body Dysmorphic Disorder Feels Like | Body Language. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5de6dP1bXXE&feature=emb_logo
*Phillips, Katharine A. “Suicidality in Body Dysmorphic Disorder.” Primary Psychiatry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2361388/.