The Digital Mirror: A Qualitative Inquiry into Self-Objectification and Orthorexic Tendencies among Indian College Students with PCOS

Abstract

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting young women worldwide. While the reproductive and metabolic implications are well established, less is known about the psychosocial ramifications of PCOS, particularly during emerging adulthood. In this qualitative study, we investigated the lived experiences of 15 Indian college students diagnosed with PCOS, with a focus on digital self-objectification and orthorexic tendencies. Drawing from a phenomenological paradigm and reflexive thematic analysis, we developed four major themes: (1) The Unruly Body: Femininity Under Threat, (2) The Digital Mirror: Surveillance and Comparison, (3) Food as Purity and Punishment, and (4) Cultural Tensions Between Marriageability and Modern Wellness.

Our findings highlight the pervasive nature of body surveillance and appearance-based anxiety among young women with PCOS. Social media amplified tendencies to upwardly compare and seek validation based on appearance. Beginning as an attempt to ameliorate PCOS, dietary recommendations over time morphed into rigid, moralized eating patterns reminiscent of emerging orthorexic tendencies. Indian sociocultural expectations centered on marriage and fertility further amplified body dissatisfaction and urgency towards control. These findings provide insight into the role chronic illness, social media, and sociocultural context play in exacerbating psychological distress. Implications for comprehensive PCOS care, digital literacy interventions, and culturally sensitive mental health support are discussed.