Plastic surgery addiction is a behavioural disorder whereby a person constantly wants to change their appearance by undergoing plastic surgery. This disorder may cause someone to spend thousands of dollars on multiple operations, all of which may not ultimately make them any happier.

The desire for plastic surgery often arises from the insecurity that people feel about how they look. This is a feeling that most people will experience occasionally. However, it becomes a problem when the insecurity becomes obsessive, leading a person’s life to center around plastic surgery.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder often serves as an underlying condition affecting plastic surgery addiction. It is characterized by an obsession with appearance, or with specific flaws that are either real or imagined. Body dysmorphia can cause significant distress and prevent people from going out, keeping jobs or otherwise living their lives in a healthy way. However, not all people who have plastic surgery have BDD, although BDD is more common among people who have cosmetic surgery. Between 7% to 15% of people who undergo plastic surgery are thought to struggle with BDD.

Symptoms

People with body dysmorphic disorder experience symptoms that can cause significant distress. These signs and symptoms can include:

Obsessing over appearance
Compulsive mirror checking
Experiencing significant distress over small or non-existent flaws
Covering up or masking one’s appearance
Seeking appearance-related affirmation

People who appear to be addicted to plastic surgery may have a diagnosed mental health disorder. Among people with BDD, surgery may act as a temporary fix for their appearance concerns. However, symptoms usually return after undergoing surgery, or the person’s fixation may shift to a new part of their appearance.

This cycle can be the cause of multiple surgeries. However, an addiction to plastic surgery does not mean that there is a physical dependence on surgery in the same way that a person can be dependent on a substance. Rather, surgery is often used as a coping strategy.

Physical Risks

Plastic surgery is typically intended to enhance and improve certain features of the body. Therefore the purpose of plastic surgery is to make someone feel more attractive and confident. One plastic surgery operation might yield a positive result, but multiple operations could have unintended consequences. Some of the risks of plastic surgery include:

Blood Clots
Scarring
Bruises
Swelling
Collapsed Muscles
Excessive Bleeding
Nerve Damage
Tissue Death
Infections, Including Pneumonia
Delayed Healing
Anaesthesia Risks

Other Forms of Risk

✽ Negative Impact on Family & Friends

Plastic surgeries are time-consuming and intense procedures. Recurrent surgeries may adversely affect interpersonal relationships. Friends and family may not understand why their loved one is undergoing another procedure. They might become angry or overly curious. As a result, due to fear and shame, people with plastic surgery addiction might lie or withdraw from their loved ones.

✽ Financial Impact

Plastic surgery costs vary, but they are expensive and rarely covered by any form of insurance or other subsidies. Repeated procedures can quickly become costly.

✽ Worsening Mental Health Conditions

Plastic surgery addiction may exacerbate body dysmorphic disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders. In addition, because the individual never feels fully satisfied with their appearance, they often continue feeling worse and worse about their self-esteem.

Treatment

Therapy can be an effective way to support those experiencing plastic surgery addiction. In particular, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may help individuals overcome the obsessive feelings of low self-esteem which accompany the disorder. CBT can also allow people to recognize and change unhelpful thinking and behaviors related to their appearance, as well as treat any underlying conditions that might be affecting the addiction.

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Gentle Start-Up in Couples Communication

What is a Gentle Start-up?

Effective communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and this holds for couples as well. A gentle start-up in communication refers to initiating a conversation with care, empathy, and respect. It’s about setting a positive tone for the discussion, which is essential in ensuring both partners feel heard and understood.

In Asian households, where communication can sometimes be perceived as harsh or direct, the concept of a “gentle start-up” may seem jarring, and unfamiliar. Traditional Asian households often prioritize directness and sometimes even bluntness in communication, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts within couples.

In fact, gentle start-up is actually aligned when the values of Asian households. Many Asian households emphasize respect towards loved ones. In such contexts, starting a conversation gently can be seen as a sign of respect, even if the content of the conversation is a complaint.

Maintaining harmony is a fundamental value within Asian households as well. A gentle start-up not only reflects respect but also serves to preserve the equilibrium within the relationship. Initiating a conversation gently reinforces the importance of the relationship. This approach communicates that the relationship is more significant than any temporary disagreement or frustration.

In Asian households, collectivism and interdependence are deeply rooted cultural values. These values emphasize the interconnectedness of the couple and the idea that their actions and words can impact the entire relationship.

The gentle start-up approach aligns with these values and aims to minimize the emotional impact of difficult moments within the family. By choosing a more respectful and considerate tone, family members can navigate challenging conversations with minimal emotional harm, ultimately promoting healthier and more harmonious family dynamics.

Benefits of Gentle Start-Ups:

Enhanced Understanding:
- Initiating a conversation gently allows both partners to approach the topic with an open mind, fostering better understanding and empathy.
Reduced Defensiveness:
- A harsh start to a conversation can trigger defensiveness, making it challenging to resolve issues. A gentle start-up can minimize this defensiveness, leading to more productive discussions.
Conflict Resolution:
- By using a gentle approach, couples can create a safe space for addressing concerns and resolving conflicts constructively.

In Asian households, the importance of gentle start-ups in couples’ communication becomes evident when considering the cultural dynamics at play. While directness and bluntness have their place, employing a gentle approach can foster understanding, reduce defensiveness, and facilitate healthy conflict resolution. It’s a harmonious blend of traditional values and effective communication techniques that can lead to stronger, more resilient relationships in the context of diverse Asian households.

Plastic Surgery Addiction

Symptoms

Physical Risks