Cosmetic Surgery Addiction

Tell me what you don 't like about yourself ' The opening line to many episodes of the popular television series Nip /Tuck . It is likely that most individuals have one aspect of their physical appearance they would like to change . Changing appearance can be as simple as joining a gym or going on a diet to lose weight , or as drastic as multiple cosmetic surgical procedures to achieve perfection . From face lifts and tummy tucks , breast augmentation and liposuction , to laser hair removal and Botox injections , there is a procedure out there that

can repair remove , lift and smooth just about every inch of the human body . A single cosmetic procedure to correct a problem area may not always be a bad thing . When a patient constantly seeks surgical treatment and is never satisfied , it may be a sign of a deeper rooted problem . In a society so focused on physical appearance , it is not hard to see how an individual could become obsessed or addicted to the idea of physical perfection

It is important to understand the science behind addiction to determine how an individual may become addicted to plastic surgery . Humans engage in behaviors that are rewarding the pleasurable feelings provide positive reinforcement so that the behavior is repeated (NIDA , 2007 The natural reward pathway of the brain allows the feeling pleasure when eating , drinking , procreating , and being nurtured . The experience is pleasurable because of the increased release of dopamine in the reward pathway (NIDA , 2007 . When the...