Mirror Fixation? Visit A Doc

Disorders Cure

oi-Staff

By Staff

Monday, December 22, 2008, 17:44

If you spend hours preening yourself before a mirror, then its time to visit a doctor.

All of us have imperfections but some start pondering on the flaws very seriously which takes the form of a disorder.

According to Universite de Montreal psychiatry professor Kieron O'Connor, people suffering from this phobia will focus on the physical attribute they consider flawed, constantly viewing it in a mirror or asking the opinions of others.

They may go to obsessive lengths to 'fix' the problem by wearing too much make-up, going to a tanning salon or getting plastic surgery .

'Sufferers are convinced that part of their body is abnormal, which is not the case,' the Science Daily quoted O'Connor as saying.

'They have difficulty separating what is real from what is not.' About 350,000 Canadians suffer from this phobia and according to O'Connor, skin receives the most attention from sufferers (73 percent), while the chest gets the least (21 percent). The hair, nose and stomach are also popular objects of obsession.

And it has nothing to do with vanity, he insists. It's a bit like hypochondria, where people are convinced they are sick or may get sick, or anorexia, which comes from poor body image, he adds.

'They'll carry on an internal conversation and convince themselves that there's a problem with their bodies, although it's not based in reality. I've seen people who have flagrant physical flaws, yet are preoccupied by a completely different aspect of their appearance,'says O'Connor, who completed his clinical training in England.

O'Connor's approach to treatment is to look at the reasons a person starts criticizing a part of his or her body in the first place. The source is difficult to pin down whether genetic, parental influence or stress-- but the consequences can be serious, including suicide.

'This problem can affect all aspects of life, work, studies and love and family relationships,' says O'Connor. 'It can stop someone from going out, or at least hiding the body part about which he or she is obsessing.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.