Midorexia: Recognizing When Your Anti-Aging Routine Becomes Harmful

Understanding Midorexia: The Fear of Aging

Fear of aging is a theme that has been explored in cinema for decades, from the iconic 1950s drama Sunset Boulevard to the dark comedy Death Becomes Her in the early 1990s. More recently, Demi Moore’s Golden Globe win for her role in the satirical horror movie The Substance has brought this topic back into the spotlight. In the film, Moore plays an actress who goes to terrifying lengths to look younger after being rejected by the industry for being ‘too old.’

What is Midorexia?

While many people in midlife can relate to the social pressure to stay young, this pressure can sometimes go too far, resulting in an exaggerated fear of aging known as ‘midorexia.’ This term was coined by British journalist Shane Watson in 2016. According to cosmetic surgeon Dr. Luis López Tallaj, midorexia is not just a passing worry about getting older. It is a persistent fear that leads to anxiety and the obsessive need to ‘correct’ any physical changes that occur with age.

The Scale of Midorexia

The scale of this phenomenon is significant. Psychoanalyst Juan Martínez-Mena notes that a high percentage of patients in aesthetic medicine show signs of being obsessively preoccupied with halting the aging process. In fact, a staggering 53% of patients exhibit symptoms of midorexia.

Signs and Symptoms: When Aesthetic Treatments Go Too Far

Mental health expert Martínez-Mena notes a troubling shift in our society: ‘Never in history has the belief that the appearance of physical youth equates to worth and success been so socially widespread. Looking your age is considered almost a personal failure.’

Psychiatrist Dr. Remedios Gutiérrez reveals that people suffering from midorexia tend to want to disguise the signs of aging with aesthetic procedures as soon as they see a change, which often results in over-treatment. This type of person may also take diets and exercise to the extreme.

The Solution: Learning to Accept Aging

According to Dr. Gutiérrez, the best solution is learning to accept the changes that are intrinsic to aging. She also adds that the best preventative measure to avoid a patient slipping into an obsession is a genuine partnership between aesthetic specialists and therapists. This partnership should prioritize the patient’s mental health, ensuring that suspected cases of midorexia, dysmorphia, or eating disorders are referred to the right experts.

The ‘Mindful Beauty’ Solution: Expert Tips to Age Gracefully

Dr. Tallaj suggests looking to public figures who approach cosmetic treatments while aging in a more subtle way. The goal is to find those who may have had ‘tweaks’ or surgery, but always in a way that respects their natural features rather than distorting them.

Tips for Aging Gracefully

• Focus on Facial Posture Correction: Good facial posture (the way we hold our muscles and expression) is a hidden key to aging gracefully.
• Look After Your Diet: A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being as you age.

For more information on midorexia and its effects, you can visit Psychology Today.