What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental illness where an individual obsesses over flaws or defects in their appearance. In most cases, these flaws are either nonexistent or very minor, but the person with Body Dysmorphic Disorder believes them to be significant and distressing. Such obsession over appearance can lead to extreme emotional and psychological distress and interfere with different aspects of life, such as relationships, work, and general well-being.
This condition often forces people to over-groom, mirror-check, or do other things to fix or conceal perceived flaws. In other people, BDD may lead to an avoidance of mirrors. People with BDD often pursue cosmetic treatments, such as surgery or dermatological therapy, to modify their appearance in a manner that they believe will end their distress. However, these treatments often fail to provide long-term relief, and the cycle of obsession and dissatisfaction continues.
BDD may occur in combination with other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, among others, and eating disorders. Normally, it often accompanies past trauma or adverse experiences such as bullying or body shaming.
Who Does Body Dysmorphic Disorder Affect the Most?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder cuts across all ages, sexes, and races, though the affected population may vary according to the age group and other factors. The general perception is that the disorder affects women more, but indeed, it affects men differently.
Age and Development
Most cases of Body Dysmorphic Disorder begin during their early teens or even in their early adult life. Puberty is the time when most young people are conscious of how they look. Social pressure, which may have become apparent during these years, further fuels such concerns. This is why BDD commonly starts in these ages, as identity formation, in part, depends on how others evaluate one during these years.
Gender Differences
Even though the disorder can be directed to any gender, differences in how it affects each gender do occur. Most women with BDD tend to fixate on skin, hair, weight, and other facial features, while with men, the fixation usually seems to be on muscularity, height, or losing hair. Social media exposure and increased media coverage have brought up such “ideal” types of bodies that have overstated these issues primarily for the youth.
Socio-Cultural Factors
The other major contributor to the development of BDD is cultural pressure. Being exposed to photoshopped images of beauty in magazines and through social media makes it an unattainable benchmark that someone may feel forced to reach. Such a state of unattained goals brings about feelings of inadequacy and poor self-esteem, which creates Body Dysmorphic Disorder in vulnerable individuals.
5 Body Dysmorphic Disorder Symptoms
To start with, what is important to Body Dysmorphic Disorder whether it is at one’s end or among others is to know the symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. For different and varied presentations that vary in terms of severity, however, some common signs must be considered.
Preoccupation With a Perceived Flaw | The most revealing symptom of Body Dysmorphic Disorder is an intense and obsessive preoccupation with a real or imagined defect in one’s appearance. It may be the size or shape of a body part, the condition of the skin, or even hair. It can also be something else. The flaws they perceive are minor or nonexistent. Such obsessions with flaws do not let them get out of their heads. |
Excessive Grooming or Avoidance of Mirrors | Individuals with the diagnosis of Body Dysmorphic Disorder are said to carry out the compulsion of obsessive grooming, such as extreme skin checking, hair styling, or makeup application. They may spend their lives trying to hide the ‘defect’ from all and become angry and weary in the process. Some patients with BDD will avoid mirrors as the sight of their faces may worsen the anxiety. |
Repeatedly Seeking Reassurance | A person diagnosed with this Body Dysmorphic Disorder approaches family members, friends, or even street strangers over and over again and asks if they can see the problem. He or she feels that they do not look right and requires some kind of affirmation from these people. However, this kind of reassurance by these people will not somehow decrease this anxiety disorder-BDD. |
Unnecessary Cosmetic Procedures | In a misguided attempt to correct the imperfection, individuals with BDD may seek a range of cosmetic treatments including plastic surgery, dermatological treatment, or even body modifications. As the individual will likely continue to feel anxious in most instances, the vicious cycle of dissatisfaction is not interrupted by the cosmetic treatment. |
Social Withdrawal or Isolation | Such a patient will avoid social functions and life because he/she feels embarrassed and ashamed of being in public places owing to the appearance of their body. A patient with Body Dysmorphic Disorder can end up being isolated because of fear of judgment, thereby being unable to live a normal life or mingle with people. |
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Treatments
Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder requires a multi-layered approach both towards psychological and emotional aspects leading to the condition. Indeed, it would take some time and with proper treatment, those people would be able to deal with their symptoms effectively, and live healthier, more meaningful lives.
The most effective treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT involves the process of making the patient realize and change the negative thought patterns that lead to their obsession with flaws they perceive in themselves. CBT helps patients to modify distorted thoughts and behaviors that can lead to healthier self-esteem and perception.
Cognitive behavior therapy enables a person to challenge a thought that the person thinks about appearance by helping them notice distorted thoughts and replacing these with sound reasoning. This therapy would encourage the patient to look at his fear and continue with activities in which this patient feels at ease concerning his appearance.
- Medication
In some cases, Body Dysmorphic Disorder treatment involves medicine. For example, for the co-occurring symptoms of anxiety and depression that are often experienced with BDD, antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be utilized. In addition, certain medications may help diminish obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior associated with the condition.
In most cases, medication alone is not enough to treat Body Dysmorphic Disorder, though it can be a great adjunct to therapy.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a type of therapy that is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and has the potential to help patients suffering from BDD. The technique involved the exposure of patients to conditions that cause obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors (like looking in mirrors or refraining from their use).
Being exposed to horrific thoughts for so long, the patient slowly develops a habit of allowing the presence of such thoughts without any resultant compulsions that would contribute to lowered levels of anxiety and consequently enhance his quality of life.
- Support Groups and Peer Support
Support groups can also give a feeling of belonging to those facing the same condition as those diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. It tends to reduce the feeling of isolation and gives people something with which to cope, for example, support that people can find in actual in-person groups or support through the internet. There are online as well as offline support groups.
- Holistic Therapies
A few find mindfulness, meditation, or yoga as complementary therapy helpful in their lives for managing stress and enhancing their emotional well-being. Complementary treatments do not take the place of conventional therapy but can provide useful additional support for all-inclusive treatment.
Final Thoughts on Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder is one of the very difficult conditions. It may severely impair a person’s quality of life, but with appropriate treatment, individuals can overcome the destructive thoughts and behavior that BDD brings them and begin living much healthier, more positive lives. If you or anyone you care about is suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder, don’t wait to get help from a professional. You deserve to feel good about yourself and appreciate all of your wonderful attributes, both inside and out.
Call to Action:
If you or anyone around you is suffering from BDD symptoms, try to find a mental health professional today. With enough support, treatment, and education, you can fully recover. You do not have to suffer from that.
FAQ’s
- How do I help someone who has body dysmorphia?
Offering aid to a person suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder takes long, enduring understanding and empathy. They need to be encouraged to see a psychiatrist and not to dismiss or diminish their feelings. Provide emotional companionship and respond by helping them build confidence by focusing on many other aspects rather than physical appearances.
- Why do I have body dysmorphia?
The exact causes behind developing Body Dysmorphic Disorder aren’t entirely understood, but it may result from many differences, such as genetic differences, trauma, and societal pressure. Consequently, adverse experiences-such as being bullied or schooled shape an important symmetry in BDD development.
- What is the best treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Usually, the treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which assists in self-challenging distorted thoughts that reduce compulsive acts. This can be supplemented by medications, particularly SSRIs, for symptom control of anxiety and depression. Complete treatment encompassing therapy, medication, and ancillary support systems has significant positive effects on a patient’s standard of living.
