Entry 8

First, I have been involved in the fashion industry for four years. With that, I see how it is important to take care of the body image, not just for models, but also for designer, the press and the public interested on it. After several audition, I have seen many girls that are turned down because of one or more aspects of their look. It gets in a point where they feel dissatisfied with themselves because they cannot satisfy others; therefore, these girls do not achieve their desire to be out there. As a matter of facts, I chose to write about Body Dysmorphic Disorder because I feel like although it is not as common or known about as disorders like OCD and depression it will definitely be an issue in the near future. When it does become a common disorder, I feel that everyone should be aware and well informed. BDD has only been formally recognized as a medical disorder for a little over ten years, so research is in its early stages. BDD affects 1-2% of the American population, which seems to be an insignificant amount. However, researchers believe this number is inaccurate due to misdiagnosis or undiagnosed. Individuals who may have symptoms of BDD are often times to ashamed or unaware of their disorder to go see a doctor. Growing up, major disorders and health issues were always mentioned or taught throughout my high school years. BDD was not one of those disorders mentioned in order to spread awareness about BDD, health professionals, clinics and schools need to inform the general public as much as possible. As a result of being informed, possible BDD sufferers will be more likely to seek help and will have a better understanding of what is going on in their life. After learning all about symptoms, treatments, how it starts, how it process and affects the person’s life; also family member, I see that this disorder will increase if it not presented to the public now. As we see on my blog entry 5, there are so many ways that the media have been persuading people with that they want, and think it is good and right. As we are the little people and we cannot stop the media, we have to help ourselves and other close to us.