Beauty surgeons and the cosmetic industry love it (critics claim that they are
even doing their best to support it): the ‘Dorian Gray Syndrome’
describes a phenomenon where people turn into heavy users of cosmetic products
and medical procedures in an attempt to preserve their youth. Oscar Wilde’s
famous novel The Picture of Dorian Gray first introduced the
psychological dilemma of affected persons to the wide public: conseqently the
syndrome was named after the novel’s protagonist.
While this syndrome as a whole is not scientifically
acknowledged, many patients suffering from it actually show diagnosable traits
of body dysmorphic disorder (having excessive concerns about perceived
defects in their physical features), narcissistic character elements
(like a sense of superiority or being more occupied with themselves than with
others), and signs of delayed maturation in certain aspects of their
psychic development. In their preoccupation with their outer appearance and
difficulty to accept their aging process, DGS patients are often users or
abusers of hair growth and weight-loss products, mood enhancers, medication
against erectile dysfunction, they are often owners of gym membership cards and
very often patients for cosmetic surgery (laser resurfacing, botox injections,
aesthetic surgery, etc.).
In case you happen to know someone who you think might show
signs of the Dorian Gray Syndrome: this person might also have depressive
tendencies which, if untreated, might trigger autodestructive symptoms if he or
she tries to suppress the negative self image by using drugs or repeatedly
undergoing surgeries. But who would want to define when it would be ‘justified’
to look out for help? Some might not want to live a life burdened by
compulsionary thoughts of this kind, but be able to fully enjoy their lives and
take life as it is - like so many others do.
But then, what can be done about it? For some of the affected
persons, a personality disorder turns out as the root cause for their body
dysmorphic disorder, for others it is a lack of self-esteem. While in order to
improve one’s psychological balance, a personality disorder can only be managed
by various means (like by medication and counseling aiming at better self
management), self-esteem can be improved quite well utilizing methods of
psychotherapy. This doesn’t have to be a process that requires years of ‘talking
cure’ - distinctive and long-lasting improvements can usually be achieved
already after a few months of regular sessions. The goal of these sessions is to
work out a more confident and accepting take on what our body involves.
|
Live the happy life you planned! Richard L.
Fellner is head of the Pattaya Counseling Center in Soi Khopai and
offers consultations in English and German languages (after making
appointments at 0854 370 470). |
