BODY DYSMORPHIA AND SOCIAL NETWORKS

Fco. Javier Estévez Carrillo

Body dysmorphia it’s a obsessive-compulsive disorder that drives individuals who suffer from
it to seek perfection. It affects 5-7.5 million people in the US and more than 2% worldwide.
People with Body dysmorphic disorder spend a lot of the time focused on the perception of
their flaws and how to conceal them. The time devoted to these negative thoughts can
interfere with their quality of life and their ability to carry out daily activities, but, why it's this
happening?

To introduce the topic of body dysmorphia, we must deepen into the impact of social
networks and technology on our lives. I truly believe that our current way of living is not in
harmony with our natural design. We are the first generation to experience this lifestyle,
characterized by incessant consumption of quick content. Above all, the prevalence of filters
distorts our perception of beauty, creating unrealistic standards that diverge significantly from
reality. I've encountered countless individuals who have grown accustomed to seeing their
own faces through filters to the point where they struggle to recognize their authentic selves.

In this digital realm, it's often the images of flawless bodies, luxurious cars, and grand
mansions that dominate our screens, further fueling our desire to measure up.
This constant exposure fosters an inevitable tendency to compare ourselves with others. It
encourages the belief that unless you showcase every aspect of your life on social media,
you're insignificant. This forces individuals to feign flawlessness, concealing their genuine
struggles and presenting themselves as emotionless, perfect machines. Sharing one's
imperfections or difficulties is often met with severe judgment, further perpetuating the
notion that we must all fight for wealth and physical perfection in our twenties. In reality, most
people in this age are navigating their way through life, and that's perfectly normal,
especially in these uncertain times.

While some argue that social networks connect people globally, I sense that we're more
disconnected than ever. We're so absorbed in our own lives, projecting an image of
perfection, that we fail to notice the challenges and needs of those around us.

In summary, I believe that society is currently facing a shift towards individualism. Frankly,
I'm not inclined to live in a world where people are hesitant to confide in their inner circle
about their issues. We must fight to cultivate greater closeness and kindness towards one
another, learn to cherish what we already possess instead of succumbing to societal
pressures, and make an effort to disconnect from our devices in order to forge genuine
connections with those around us.