Page 13 - ADU Voice Volume 3 Issue 2

FALL 2023 · voice 13
celebrities’ images, they start feeling
inadequate, which can lead to the
development of eating disorders, inse-
curities, and an endless search for an
idealized image of themselves.
Photoshopping is addictive and a
person may reach a point where they
cannot accept sharing unedited pho-
tographs of themselves. People are
photoshopping their portraits to an
extent where they create an image of
themselves that looks nothing like real-
ity, all in an attempt to feel better about
themselves. However, many tend to
ignore the vicious cycle that is created
by this behavior.
The moment a person starts editing their
image, they establish a need to photoshop
all their future images, which becomes a
type of addiction, leading to an overall
feeling of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
On the other hand, some argue that
Photoshop can make people feel better
about themselves as they change their
looks to their desire, which boosts confi-
dence and self-love. However, this boost
of confidence only lasts for a short time.
Reality eventually kicks in, and they start
noticing how different they look in photos
compared to real life. Photoshop pushes
individuals to hate their natural appear-
ance overtime and makes it difficult for
them to accept themselves the way they
are, opening a window for depression,
anxiety, and eating disorders to form.
Overall, the Photoshop phenomenon is
causing a conflict between expectations
and reality. While many may believe that
Photoshop advocates self-love, studies
have shown that using Photoshop on a
regular basis makes one feel bad about
their looks, which may later develop
into an addiction and even contribute
to mental health issues. More aware-
ness should be raised about the negative
effects of Photoshop, and prominent
media personalities should take action
to minimize the harmful influence they
may be having on their fans. Additionaly,
it is important for individuals to realize
that beauty differs from person to person
and is not a fixed standard.