How to get rid of the obsessive desire to control your appearance

The obsessive desire to control your appearance manifests itself in different ways. Someone often and for a long time studies the reflection in the mirror, someone compares their current appearance with old photographs, regularly checks some part of the body for imperfections, or does not throw away clothes that have become small.

This habit can be caused by anxiety or self-dissatisfaction. It is common in those who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders. It is also reinforced by a tendency towards perfectionism.

As a result, even having achieved the desired result, for example, weight loss, a person retains the symptoms of an obsessive desire to control his appearance. He finds himself in a vicious circle, constantly looking for flaws in himself and trying to fix them. Here are five ways you can make a difference.

1. Identify what is fueling this habit

Fixation on your appearance is not always motivated by the desire to look a certain way. Often this is an attempt to psychologically adapt to anxiety, self-doubt, or feelings of helplessness. Therefore, it is so important to understand what makes you often look in the mirror or compare yourself with others.

Maybe you're uncomfortable with someone, an old trauma, or anxiety. Try to find the answer to this question. He will be the starting point for healing.

2. Find and remove the main triggers in your environment

These can be mirrors, scales, measuring tape, old clothes that are no longer fit for you. Get rid of all of this first.

Then pay attention to your behavior during video calls. If you are constantly looking at yourself and not at the other person, turn the monitor so that you cannot see your face. Zoom, for example, allows you to hide your own image from yourself, while remaining visible to other participants in the conversation.

If you play sports, see if the workout has turned into a trigger. Think about what motivates you: the health benefits or the desire to control your appearance. If the latter, it is better to give up sports for a while, until you change your attitude towards it.

3. Keep a diary

He will help you fully understand the situation. Write in your journal how many times during the day you feel like looking in the mirror or checking a part of your body. You may find that you do this much more often than you previously thought. Then ask yourself what you hope to get by looking at the reflection. This will bring you closer to understanding the motive behind the habit.

4. Protect yourself from the influence of social media

Comparing yourself to people on Instagram is another manifestation of the obsessive desire to control your appearance. Remind yourself that influencers and users alike are more likely to post processed photos. Add variety to your feed: subscribe to people with different types of looks and different opinions.

Periodically check out the Instagram vs Reality thread on Reddit. You will see how much the pictures from the Internet can differ from reality. You can even uninstall social media apps from time to time to take a break from them.

5. Take care of yourself

The desire to control their appearance is intensified in many during times of stress. To avoid this, take good care of yourself. This will help shift the focus away from imagined flaws and into a positive attitude towards yourself and your body. Try to drown out the flow of internal criticism. Make time for those activities and connect with the people who give you support.

If the tendency to control your appearance negatively affects your daily life, you may need to seek professional support. A therapist can help you understand the root of the problem and keep your obsessive habit under control.