Blancorexia, also known as skin color dysmorphobia, is a psychological disorder characterized by a morbid obsession with the idea that skin should be as light as possible. This condition can lead individuals to carry out harmful practices with the aim of lightening their complexion, putting their physical and mental health at risk.
Causes of Blancorexia
Blanchorexia can be caused by a combination of factors, including sociocultural influences, aesthetic pressures, personal experiences, and self-esteem problems. In many cultures, light skin is associated with beauty, social status and success, which can lead to an idealization of this skin tone and the mistaken belief that lighter skin will result in a better life.
In addition, whiterexia can be influenced by traumatic experiences in childhood, such as bullying due to skin tone or discriminatory comments. These painful experiences can lead to an internalization of prejudices and an obsessive search to change physical appearance to fit into an idealized beauty standard.
Symptoms of Blancorexia
Obsession with the Skin Clara
One of the most characteristic symptoms of blancorexia is the constant obsession with lightening the skin. People who suffer from this disorder may spend hours examining their skin tone for imperfections or color variations, and may resort to dangerous chemicals or procedures to achieve their goal.
Low Self-Esteem Related to the Skin Color
People with whiterexia often have low self-esteem associated with the color of their skin. They may feel ashamed, frustrated, or uncomfortable with their natural tone, leading them to desperately search for ways to modify it to feel socially accepted or validated.
Social Isolation
Whiterexia can cause a significant social isolation, as sufferers may avoid social situations for fear of being judged based on their appearance. This isolation can aggravate feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression, perpetuating the cycle of obsession with light skin.
Combating Blancorexia
Psychological Therapy
Psychological therapy is essential in the treatment of whiterexia. A psychologist or psychotherapist can help a person explore and modify their distorted thoughts about their skin and self-image. Through techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, negative and self-destructive thought patterns can be identified and changed.
Self-acceptance and Positive Self-esteem
Promoting self-acceptance and positive self-esteem is essential to combat the whiterexia. Learning to value the diversity of skin tones and recognize the beauty in each person's individuality can help change the distorted perception of one's own body and reduce the obsession with light skin.
Diversity and Self-Image Education
Education about diversity and self-image also plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of whiterexia. Promoting acceptance of racial and ethnic diversity, as well as teaching to value beauty in all its forms, can help challenge hegemonic beauty standards and reduce social pressure to achieve lighter skin.
In conclusion, whiterexia is a complex psychological disorder that requires a comprehensive approach for its treatment. Through psychological therapy, the promotion of self-acceptance and education about diversity, it is possible to combat and overcome this obsession with light skin, promoting a healthy body image and positive self-esteem.