Could Your Appearance Concerns Be Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Highlights:

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) sufferers often experience greater daily impairment and higher suicide risk than those with eating disorders
Indicators of BDD include excessive mirror checking, constant comparisons, and seeking cosmetic procedures
Effective treatments include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) sufferers experience shame about their bodies, causing them to hide the condition. This shame conceals a serious psychological disorder that significantly impacts daily life. People with BDD engage in repetitive behaviors and have intrusive thoughts related to their appearance ().

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) - A Psychological Disorder
Do you worry too much about defects in your body? Then you must definitely check if the symptoms resemble those of body dysmorphic disorder.

‘Did You Know?
People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) have a higher risk of suicide compared to those with eating disorders. #mentalhealth #medindia’

Key Differences Between BDD and Eating Disorders

People with BDD and eating disorders share similar negative emotions about their bodies, such as shame, disgust, and anger. They might also engage in similar behaviors like:

Mirror checking excessively
Taking frequent photos to scrutinize their appearance
Seeking reassurance from others about their looks
Using clothing to camouflage perceived flaws

However, key distinctions are:

Perception of Weight: People with eating disorders might view themselves as overweight even when underweight. In contrast, those with BDD see themselves as ugly or disfigured despite appearing normal or attractive to others.

Prevalence: BDD is more common than bulimia or anorexia. Impairment: People with BDD often experience greater impairment in daily functioning compared to those with eating disorders.

Suicide Risk: BDD carries a higher risk of suicide than eating disorders.

Cosmetic Surgery Doesn't Help to Fix Body Dysmorphic Disorder
A new study has examined the impact that cosmetic surgery has on correcting body dysmorphic disorder, and found that only two percent of procedures actually reduced the severity of BDD.

When Appearance Concerns Become Problematic

Some indicators that can distinguish BDD from normal concerns about appearance are:

Time Spent Obsessing: People with BDD spend a significant amount of time (hours daily) fixated on perceived flaws.

Severity of Distress: They feel much worse about their appearance than those with normal concerns and experience intense anxiety, depression, shame, and self-loathing.

Brain Changes Identified in Anorexia Nervosa and Body Dysmorphic Disorder
A distorted body and appearance perception characterize psychiatric disorders like anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorders. The similarity in the key patterns of brain functions has been observed in both these disorders.

Common Behaviors Associated with BDD

Camouflaging perceived flaws with clothing and makeup
Constantly comparing oneself to others
Excessive mirror checking and use of reflective surfaces
Seeking cosmetic procedures like surgery and dermatology
Taking repeated photos to scrutinize appearance
Seeking reassurance from others or trying to convince them of a flaw's unattractiveness
Touching the perceived flaw repeatedly
Excessively changing clothes
Dieting and skin picking to improve appearance
Engaging in excessive exercise or weightlifting

Living with Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Coping Strategies and Support Resources
Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with physical flaws. Knowing the signs can help you get appropriate treatment.

Causes of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

The exact causes of BDD are unknown, but potential contributing factors include:

Genetics
Childhood bullying or teasing about appearance
Childhood maltreatment or trauma
Growing up in an appearance-focused family
Perfectionistic standards concerning appearance
Exposure to unrealistic beauty ideals in media

Brain Abnormalities and BDD

Studies suggest abnormalities in brain function might be linked to BDD. For instance, some research shows a bias in processing visual information, with a focus on details rather than the whole picture. This could contribute to the distorted body image experienced by those with BDD.

Effective Treatments for BDD

Effective treatments are available for BDD:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Therapists help patients modify negative thoughts and beliefs about their appearance and eliminate problematic behaviors like mirror checking.

Medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can reduce cognitive distortions, depression, anxiety, and compulsive behaviors. They can also improve mood and daily functioning.

Reference:

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) - (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/body-dysmorphic-disorder-bdd)

Source-Medindia