Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Intro. When he walks down the street, there are stares. When he walks into his church, there are scoffs. When he walks into his job, there are questions. The man has several body modifications; a bridge piercing, ¾ inch ears, and a small star tattoo under his left cheek. Does this deem a man dangerous and loathsome? Or is he the embodiment of personal expression? Body modifications stand as an art form because of its expressive and aesthetic properties and its social statement against mainstream society.
IA. Body modification has been most notably apparent in ancient times, however western civilization has modernized this tradition in a fashion trend over the past 40 years or so. Body mods, a slang term for body modification, dates back as
Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or BDD, is a somatization disorder, clinically similar to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. BDD is an individual’s preoccupation with an imaginary physical defect. BDD is known to significantly impair an individual’s life and social habits (Watkins 1 of 5). Symptoms of this disorder include overly frequent glances at mirrors, skin picking, elaborate grooming rituals, high anxiety with people, and avoiding social situations in fear of the defect being seen or noticed (Watkins 2 of 5). Many try to solve their BDD symptoms through risky or painful surgery to fix their imagined defect (Watkins 4 of 5). So is the modified community just sick? Or is it just another way to express their inner beauty to an unknowing
Mutilation is a term most commonly used to describe gruesome and hideous disfigurement, mostly associated with the human figure or body. Is putting a piece of metal in your eyebrow mutilation? Most would argue no. Even the unknowing public will probably agree that it should not be described so drastically. But what about tongue splitting? Or ear pointing? Is this type of decoration so different that it can be deemed mutilation, even though these procedures are done with the same motivation? Millions who have or are receiving these procedures argue to this day about what is art and what is mutilation; they discuss what exactly is “too far“. To mutilate is to injure, disfigure, or make imperfect by removing or irreparably damaging parts (Mutilation 1 of 1). It is illegal and inappropriate for body mods to medically damage any part of the body. A practicing tattooist, piercer, or other mod technician can and will lose their license if such result were to occur. In March of 2004 Fox News announced the passing of Bill [HB1177]. This bill would make female genitalia piercing punishable to anyone who offered the service by 2 to 20 years in prison. Even consenting women cannot get the