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How can gaining weight help reduce body dysmorphia symptoms?

Increased body weight can temporarily shift the focus away from perceived physical flaws, providing some relief from the constant preoccupation associated with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

Gaining weight may reduce the drive to engage in compulsive body-checking behaviors, as individuals become less fixated on minor perceived imperfections.

The act of weight gain itself can provide a sense of control and mastery over one's body, which can counteract the feelings of powerlessness often experienced by those with BDD.

As body shape changes with weight gain, the individual's frame of reference for what is considered "normal" or "acceptable" may expand, making certain perceived flaws less distressing.

Increased body weight can reduce the visibility of certain physical features that trigger body dysmorphia, such as protruding bones or muscle definition.

Gaining weight can diminish self-consciousness and improve social confidence in some individuals with BDD, reducing the urge to avoid social situations due to appearance concerns.

The process of weight gain may encourage a shift in focus from appearance to other aspects of one's identity and self-worth, gradually reducing the centrality of physical attributes.

Increased body size can make certain cosmetic procedures or corrective surgeries less feasible, discouraging individuals from seeking unnecessary or risky interventions to "fix" perceived flaws.

Weight gain can act as a protective factor against the development of eating disorders, which often co-occur with body dysmorphia and can exacerbate distorted body image.

Experiencing the physical sensations and changes associated with weight gain may help individuals with BDD develop a more embodied and accepting relationship with their body.

Gaining weight can provide a tangible reminder that the body is capable of change, which can challenge the rigid and distorted beliefs about one's appearance that characterize body dysmorphia.

In some cases, weight gain can reduce the severity of body dysmorphia symptoms by highlighting the subjective and inconsistent nature of perceptions about one's own appearance.

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