British parliamentarians on the legislature's Health and Social Care Committee have created a proposal According to psychologist Rejane Sbrissa, the measure can be a good strategy to reduce the impacts caused by aesthetic pressure, especially on young women.

Brazil is the second country that carries out the most cosmetic surgeries The most sought-after procedure is liposuction, which aims to remove excess fat from a certain region of the body. Moreover, in early 2021, there was an increase of about 50% in the search for plastic surgery. In the same year, the FinanZero Loans Index (IFE) showed a growing demand for loans intended for aesthetic treatment.

Not all cases of surgery are for aesthetic purposes, but most of them are motivated by some dissatisfaction with one's self-image. This condition often arises from an unfair comparison with images conveyed by advertising or on social network profiles.

"This makes women feel unsatisfied both physically and emotionally. Besides, they don't feel they fit the expected standard and often seek this ideal at any cost. This behavior brings affective, emotional, social, and professional losses", comments the psychologist.

Thus, the professional says that the parliamentarians' proposal can be valid in the sense of bringing the woman closer to reality and, in a way, reduce the chances of a mistaken comparison with an unreal perfection.

What are the effects of images on mental health?

Images in advertisements or shared on social networks usually follow the same protocol: a smile on the face, perfect skin, and a statuesque body. But the problem does not consist in using effects or making punctual changes to the records. In fact, the way people interpret this fragment of reality is what makes all the difference.

"The Internet is no longer just a means of communication, but has begun to modify behavior and influence lifestyles and social relationships," Rejane points out. According to her, it is increasingly necessary to develop this sense of distrust in relation to the posts. After all, the publications go through a filter or a selection before going live.publications that represent a certain kind of beauty and happiness mean an impeccable life.

"It's just a moment of happiness, an instant in someone's life that we often can't know if it was, in fact, real. Not to mention that experiencing sadness, suffering, and pain is part of a full life," he says.

The psychologist explains that one of the effects of this aesthetic pressure caused by images is precisely the search for acceptance through the construction of a fictionalized image. She also comments that some people start to isolate themselves from real relationships, since they don't feel they belong, but invest in relationships where there is no physical contact, as in the virtual world.

"These media mechanisms can aggravate the appearance of personality disorders and a sense of existential emptiness," he says. In addition, the lack of self-esteem, self-confidence, and dissatisfaction with one's life can bring about a host of other physical and psychological problems.

Read also: Thinness culture: the struggles of those who live with an eating disorder

Consequences of aesthetic pressure

In addition to developing a belief of insufficiency in both personal relationships and at work, this drop in self-esteem and self-acceptance paves the way for even more serious issues to arise.

"These feelings act as triggers for depression, chronic stress, anxiety attacks, excessive negativity, and eating disorders, since these people live after an unattainable ideal," he reports.

The psychologist explains that these illnesses of body and mind affect quality sleep, and cause a drop in the immune system, increasing the chances of infections.

"Depression, deep sadness, anxiety attacks, and chronic stress also bring associated physiological problems, such as hypertension and heart problems in general," he points out.

How to deal with

In some cases, psychological counseling is important for the person to rebuild self-esteem and create a better relationship with the media.

"The patient will relearn to value himself, to understand who he is in the world and what his value is," argues the psychologist.

Source: Rejane Sbrissa, cognitive psychologist specialized in eating disorders