Exploring Links to OCD, Depression, and Self-Confidence
The beauty of the soul is always reflected in the external appearance
French writer George SandThis saying does not seem to hold true in the age of Instagram, Snapchat, selfies, and beauty applications, which have become indispensable on our smartphones. Numerous studies confirm that taking beautiful selfies is now a primary goal for consumers when using their phones. Capturing an attractive photo and sharing it on social media has become a measure of whether someone is considered attractive or not.
Or rather, whether the beauty of the person in the photo aligns with socially agreed-upon standards of beauty.
From Beauty Trends
“Beauty trends” is a term that has long been associated with the world of fashion and cosmetics. With the technological boom, it has swept through social media, establishing widely accepted standards of female beauty. These trends motivate social media users to conform to ideals of beauty—standards emphasizing features like full lips, a small nose, a slender waist, prominent buttocks, and full breasts.
The proliferation of imagery and technology has encouraged users to share photos and compete to achieve the coveted “Madonna beauty” or “Madonna body” aesthetic. According to Le Parisien, this is the look most young French women under 34 strive for.
How Snapchat Destroys Self-Confidence
“Wait, don’t post that picture until you edit it—I look really ugly.”Her friend responds, “No, you don’t look ugly. I just think your lower lip looks less plump.”
This casual exchange between friends after taking a selfie highlights how normalized discussions about perceived imperfections have become. Many teenage girls now lack confidence in their bodies and appearance, spurred by the obsession with “looking beautiful” that these apps propagate. These platforms highlight every perceived flaw—be it thinness, obesity, height, the shape of the nose, or even dark circles under the eyes.
Meanwhile, faces and bodies conforming to social media’s beauty ideals receive abundant likes, shares, and compliments, creating a hierarchy of worth tied to appearance. This culture fosters dissatisfaction with one’s body, especially among adolescents, whose bodies are still developing. A 2017 American study found that 42% of plastic surgery patients sought procedures to improve how they appeared in selfies. Similarly, a French study published in Marie Claire revealed that many people undergoing plastic surgery aim to replicate their appearance in Snapchat filters.
Snapchat Dysmorphia
The term “Snapchat Dysmorphia” was coined by British plastic surgeon Dr. Tijion Esho, who noted a shift in patient behavior. Patients no longer brought photos of celebrities for inspiration but instead brought filtered images of themselves.
Snapchat Dysmorphia describes a condition in which individuals strive to significantly modify their physical appearance to match their digitally altered images. This phenomenon is considered a subset of body dysmorphic disorder, characterized by obsessive focus on perceived physical flaws that may be invisible or negligible to others. Those affected often feel dissatisfied with their appearance and seek cosmetic procedures to match the idealized version of themselves portrayed online.
The Psychological Impact
The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation and sociologists worldwide have outlined the negative effects of Snapchat Dysmorphia, including:
- DepressionIndividuals often experience depression, low self-esteem, and persistent self-criticism. Despite their struggles, they may deny feelings of sadness or inadequacy.
- Social PhobiaA fear of negative judgment based on appearance leads to anxiety and avoidance of social situations. This anxiety often manifests in exaggerated behaviors to appear attractive.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)People may become fixated on achieving “perfect” symmetry in their appearance, often obsessing over details like hair, cleanliness, or physical measurements.
- Eating DisordersObsession with weight or body shape can lead to severe eating restrictions, nutrient deficiencies, and weakened immunity, especially among fashion models and others aiming for a specific body type.
- Skin Picking DisorderSome individuals compulsively alter their skin tone or facial features, using creams or tools that can cause serious physical harm, including infections and permanent disfigurement.
Against Plastic Beauty
The obsession with digitally altered images promotes unattainable beauty standards. Internet-driven aesthetics are constantly shifting, dictated by fashion trends and the cosmetics industry, which generates billions in revenue. This “plastic beauty” strips away individuality and self-love, overshadowing the natural beauty found in honesty, joy, and self-acceptance.
As Arab poet Abd Rabbuh Hussein Al-Maljami beautifully states:“What is the benefit of the face if it has beauty,If the beauty of the soul is of no effect?And what is the benefit of words without deeds,When action alone reveals the truth?”
