You yearn for higher cheekbones, firmer thighs or a flatter stomach. Feeling some dissatisfaction when you look in the mirror is normal. But if you obsess that your looks are rendering you defective, you may have dysmorphic disorder–“an intense preoccupation with imagined physical defects that interferes with leading a normal life,” reports a story in Fitness magazine.
A defining component of the condition, according to Dianne Hales, co-author of “Caring for the Mind: The Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health” (Bantam Doubleday Dell, $39.95) and article co-author Christina Frank, is that your concern about the way you look interferes with your personal, social or work life.
Recognize yourself? Consider seeing a mental-health professional.
For those who are merely overly critical about their appearance, the authors also offer these tips:
– Compile a list of 10 things you like about your body. When the negative messages in your brain switch on, grab the list and substitute your positive messages.
– Check out “real women’s” bodies at a health club.
– Nurture your body with a massage or yoga class.