Distorted Mirror Syndrome (DMS)

 “Nothing is good or bad, but thinking you looks better or worse than you do, does make it bad”

                                                                                                                  ~ Shakespeare

Have you ever noticed, for the most part, men think they look better than they do while women think they look worse than they actually do. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had consults with couples where the men think they only needs to lose a few pounds, however, they believe their wives could take off about 20-30 Lbs.…."yep…. then she would be fine!”

If you find yourself in a DMS type relationship or work environment… don’t worry.

There is help.

What Are the Treatments for DMS?

Depending on the type and stage of DMS, treatments to eradicate the delusion or slow its growth may include some combination of psychotherapy, radical honesty, or a mirror placed in an unexpected located.

(Have you ever seen yourself in a mirror and thought, “Hey, who’s that fat guy”…and it turns out to be you?)

DMS Support

Supportive care from family’s and other mental professionals should accompany DMS treatment. The goal is to relieve pain from those who have to be around you, maintain a body that looks close to what you think it looks like, general health (for your friends), improve quality of life (for your friends), and provide emotional, and psychological, support to the DMS patients and the poor soul who are forced to be in the same work environment with them. Similar supportive treatment is also available to rehabilitate patients post DMS treatment.

Supportive Therapy

~ Most mainstream care is geared toward providing supportive treatment through the broad resources of a DMS treatment center (this is also for victims of friends). Complementary DMS therapies, which are generally provided outside a gym, can also provide supportive care.

 ~ Join support groups who are post DMS and now realistic about their bodies…this can provide relief from pain and other irreversible symptoms that come from delusional thinking.

~ Friends who don’t allow you to continue to lie to yourself.

~ Tailors…tailors can be helpful in making suggestions on appropriate clothing so you don’t embarrass your children or disgust your friends and family.

~Mirror therapy…the mirror is the way. Ironically, what created the delusion… repairs the delusion. (Remember to place mirror in unexpected locations…for the shock factor)

These are just a few suggestions that can fight this irrational disease for the DMS patient, and lead improved quality of life for friends, family members, and co-workers.

Together we can all fight this horrible neurosis.    

 “Keep in mind, we don’t always see things as they are…we see them the way we want to see them…please…don’t do that! “

                                                                                                        ~ Kelly