How does having a split sense of oneself impact mental health?

By Kaitlin and Amritha

Dorian Gray never expressed signs of mental illness when we were first introduced to him. His insecurities with aging stemmed from the realization that he is actually beautiful to start with. He is under a delusion that he needs to remain that way to be perfect and good-looking. People diagnosed with eating disorders go through a similar experience. Eating disorders cause people to not see themselves the way they are. This mental disorder causes a warped idea of body image and the unhealthy desire to be perfect. Dorian Gray is affected similarly and isn’t able to find peace in the changing of his appearance. This causes him to go to extents that go beyond his prior morals. Without rationalizing anything, he follows Lord Henry’s guide blindly, relentlessly harms other people, and makes a deal with the devil to keep him looking young and beautiful. Dorian was completely blinded by the overwhelming idea of being eternally beautiful. He is conflicted between the concept of aestheticism and morality, for which he values aestheticism much more.

It turns out that Dorian’s corrupted mental health is similar amongst many individuals, so much that it is a diagnosable mental health condition called Dorian Gray Syndrome. Those with this condition are extremely invested in their appearance and struggle with facing the inevitable process of aging. The main symptoms of this condition are body dysmorphie disorder, inability to mature or difficulty coping with maturity, or the usage of medication that affects bodily development to please themselves. As hair is a major symbol of growth, people tend to consume finasteride (commonly used for people with alopecia), which slows the process of balding. As Dorian relied on opium in an attempt to forget and relieve his sins, people with Dorian Gray Syndrome often become addicted to this medication. This obsession with preserving a young body of themselves enhances their narcissistic personality and encourages them to push limits regarding their appearance and reputation. This syndrome can be treated in two main steps: first, “lifestyle medications” (“the use of lifestyle interventions in the treatment and management of disease”) must be adapted.

Here’s the thing though: the person who first had Dorian Gray Syndrome diagnosed himself. Dorian only feels pity for himself, just like Richard Smith, who put a label on his narcissistic personality and obsession with being young. He says, “I am proud to announce a new disease, which I’ve called Dorian Gray Syndrome. I thought that I was the only person in the world to suffer from this awful condition, but now that I’ve met another sufferer I feel confident that this is a widespread condition.” Smith says that people with DGS turn to plastic surgery and/or dangerous methods to remain to look young. To fully grasp what he is saying, you can read this article that he wrote by using this link: https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/dorian-gray-syndrome-the-disease-of-thinking-youre-the-youngest-in-the-room-when-you-are-the-oldest/

This is similar to how Dorian Gray turned to opium and unreasonable measures to preserve his youth. Frankly, it is quite odd how someone diagnoses themselves with a narcissistic personality disorder that has never been created before, bases it off of themself and a character known for being corrupted, and is proud of it.

However, that does not take away from the fact that something had to have happened for Richard to end up the way he is. Perhaps he was failed by society. Maybe those around him did not give him the attention he deserves. Although that is not an excuse for extremely narcissistic behavior, it is slightly difficult to dismiss the strange pity they have towards him. His delusional state of mind led him to see himself far differently from his true self, just like Dorian chose to remain ignorant of his inner self. Someone can initially understand that a concept is a lie, but they can make themselves believe the lie is true. Slowly, the “split” version of themself integrates into their mind as the real version of themself. They begin to eat, sleep, breathe, and live in this delusional state of mind which is now their true reality.

This can be extremely dangerous due to the extent to which people like Dorian commit certain actions. Dorian ended up killing Basil, someone who was extremely loyal to him, cared for him, and always believed that he would remain sane through the pressures that society forced on him. Richard Smith claims that Dorian Gray Syndrome can only be “cured by death.” Nobody should have to undergo so much stress that they become corrupted and resort to narcissism and the ignorance of aging to cope when the only cure is to take your own life, even if that also has narcissistic intentions.

It is very important to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses and to learn how to be comfortable in your body while understanding that growing (both mentally as well as physically) is simply inevitable. Having a “split self” has terrible detrimental effects not limited to Dorian Gray Syndrome but that could expand to drug addiction or other conditions related to narcissism, delusions, or avoiding maturity. Let’s hope for no more Dorian Grays in the world!

** works cited attached to discussion post

Works Cited

Brosig, B. "The 'Dorian Gray Syndrome': psychodynamic need for hair growth restorers and other 'fountains of youth.'" National Library of Medicine, 7 July 200, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11471770/. Accessed 14 June 2022.

---. "The 'Dorian Gray Syndrome': psychodynamic need for hair growth restorers and other 'fountains of youth.'" National Library of Medicine, 7 July 200, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11471770/. Accessed 14 June 2022.

"Dorian Gray Syndrome." Wikipedia, 16 May 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorian_Gray_syndrome. Accessed 14 June 2022.

"Dorian Gray Syndrome: the disease of thinking you're the youngest in the room when you are the oldest." https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/, 2 Nov. 2022, richardswsmith.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/dorian-gray-syndrome-the-. Accessed 14 June 2022.

Duggan, Patrick. "The Conflict Between Aestheticism and Morality in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray." BU Arts and Sciences, 25 July 2019, www.bu.edu/writingprogram/journal/past-issues/issue-1/duggan/. Accessed 14 June 2022.

Zhang, Ray R., Mr. "The Dorian Gray Syndrome." Sesame Seed, 29 May 2022, sesameseed1.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-dorian-gray-syndrome.html. Accessed 14 June 2022.