Dysmetria: What Is It?
The word dysmethia comes from the Greek words dysmos (disfigured) and metheos (disorder). Dysmorphia is a mental disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with minor physical or psychological defects, especially those related to one’s appearance. These abnormalities are usually perceived as unattractive and even disgusting. They may cause distress, anxiety, depression, guilt and other negative emotions.
Dysmetria is a psychiatric condition where people have extreme preoccupations with their physical appearances. People suffering from dysmetria tend to obsess over the smallest details of their appearance such as hair color, eye color, skin tone and so on. Such obsession leads them to avoid social situations in which they would not normally participate due to fear of being judged negatively for having “off” body parts.
People suffering from dysmetria often feel embarrassed when others look at them, and try to hide their flaws. Some people suffer from dysmetria because they believe that these imperfections make them less attractive or worthy of love. Others suffer from it because they think that if they don’t change themselves, no one else will ever like them enough to want to spend time with them.
What Are The Symptoms of Dysmetria?
The most common symptoms of dysmorphia include:
Feelings of inferiority about one’s physical appearance and perceived flaws in one’s looks.
So much concern about one or more perceived flaws that it interferes with daily activities, such as work or school.
Constant preoccupation with looks and physical appearance. People with dysmorphia may even talk excessively about their looks.
Sources & references used in this article:
Cerebellar dysmetria at the elbow, wrist, and fingers by J Hore, B Wild, HC Diener – Journal of neurophysiology, 1991 – journals.physiology.org
Disorders of the cerebellum: ataxia, dysmetria of thought, and the cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome by JD Schmahmann – The Journal of neuropsychiatry and …, 2004 – Am Neuropsych Assoc
Movement and electromyographic disorders associated with cerebellar dysmetria by D Flament, J Hore – Journal of neurophysiology, 1986 – journals.physiology.org
