Obsession with filters can impact self-confidence- Dr. Shankar Srinivas Kuchibatla, Psychiatrist in Dubai, says at the Gulf News
It has become a common practice for millennials to use filters on pictures online to alter one’s features. This could sometimes be a pathological response to repeated intrusive thoughts. This may give them short-term mental satisfaction and well-being. However, it may indicate an underlying response to low self-image and self-confidence issues. In my opinion this is extremely harmful to one’s mental health.
Depending on such filters leads to loss of reality, creating an expectation that one must be perfect at all times. However, this leads to a gap between the real and virtual image. It poses huge risks and consequences regarding one’s mental health and can fuel self-image, self-esteem and confidence issues. Doctors and relatives of individuals need to be aware of these effects. For example, at a plastic surgery appointment it is important to know if somebody is coming for the surgery for the right reason. In my opinion it is important to have a psychiatric assessment to rule out the underlying mental health issues.
From Dr Shankar Srinivas Kuchibatla
Consultant psychiatrist based in Dubai
