Anxiety & Body Image

[GoldenGirl]

I was watching the new show Bridalplasty the other night - it's a reality-gameshow type of thing where a group of soon-to-be brides compete to win a series of plastic surgeries and treatments so they can have the face and body they have always wanted for their wedding day! I was really quite disgusted yet intrigued by it as none of them are particularly bad looking - infact most are stick thin and look like models!

It just got me thinking out anxiety and body image. Do any of you worry about the way you look? Would any of you consider (or have had) any cosmetic surgery to change something about yourself? How do you feel about cosmetic surgery - is it just vanity, or are there instances where it is a positive step for a person to take? Should we accept the body we have, or is it ok to want to change it if it causes anxiety?

My gut instinct is that people should try to be happy with the way they are and not seek to change, and it disgusts me frankly to see women especially filling themselves with silicon and botox. It disgusts me more to think of all the doctors out there who, instead of using their medical expertise to help people in need, spend their days taking thousands of pounds from gullible glamour model wannabes!!

However as someone who actually has had what I suppose is a form of cosmetic treatment myself on a part of my body that caused me great unhappiness, I guess I can't be a hypocrite!

What does everybody else think??

[susan]

I would want plastic surgery. Just can't afford it. I was refered by gp to get it done too but then told there was no money in the nhs for it. I want a breast reduction as mine are too big and as a result give me back ache, shoulder ache and sore neck and i struggle to sleep. I can't lie on my back because of them as they feel like choking and can't like on my front because of them. Often have to sleep with a pillow beteen them. Can't get a bra that fits in dumfies either which is annoying too as end up having to get them measure and i hate that and gets me really anxious. I think i wold feel better as i think i would look better and stuff and be happy too as could get tops that fitted me. Which would in turn mean i was less stressed about shopping. Not sure about if should change or not though as i think it depends on the individual although i don't think some ops should be done on the nhs if its just for cosmetic reasons.

[labrador]

I suppose extreme anxiety about your body ends up being classified as that sub OCD condition called Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
I had orthodontal treatment when I was younger which I suppose is a bit cosmetic....but I'm glad I did it. I think if there is something about your appearance that causes you significant distress then I wouldn't be critical of you seeking plastic surgery....but I think there are far too many for whom it is not a genuine cause of psychological suffering...they just want to look like a celeb. I think the NHS should only be for those who do have genuine psychological or physical problems with their face or body...and I'm bit peeved at the NHS picking up the tab when people come back from abroad having had plastic surgery which has gone wrong and then expect the NHS to fix it for them! Maybe I'm too unsympathetic!
Regarding your specific problem Susan.....I would like a little more! But I do feel for women like you...I think men really got a better deal in the body department!