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Do you ever contemplate your physical flaws? Although everyone analyzes it occasionally, if your response to this perceived flaw becomes excessive, you may have a body dysmorphic disorder.
BDD is a mental health condition that can change your relationship with your body and sense of self. Have you heard about body image? It's a term described to address how you feel about your body and appearance.
Even if you have the best body type, you can still feel negative about yourself. If you have BDD, you could be so upset about the way your body looks that it can interfere with your ability to go about your daily activities.
What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
BDD is an anxiety disorder that interferes with how you perceive and react to your own body and how it looks. You may feel humiliated, upset, or depressed if you have this disorder, as you believe a feature of your body is unique or malformed.
These emotions can make you feel unwell and keep you from leading a regular life. A person with a body dysmorphic disorder may attempt to correct or alter a perceived flaw, for instance with make-up, exercise, or surgery.
The most frequent source of concern for those with body dysmorphia is their face and its characteristics, which include the shape and dimensions of the nose, lips, and ears, as well as the skin's color or complexion.
You could discover that it's difficult to stop thinking bad things about your physique. You can even stress about your appearance for hours every day. You may occasionally consider suicide if your negative and persistent thoughts are severe enough.
Nobody is aware of what causes BDD, which typically starts in teenage or adolescent years. According to experts, BDD affects one in every 100 people. Men and women are affected equally, even when the media says otherwise.
It's believed that a mix of environmental, psychological, and biological variables are the root causes of body dysmorphic disorder. Emotions of inadequacy, embarrassment, and fear of mockery may be induced or cultivated as a result of bullying or teasing.
Signs of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Every body part might cause you to develop an obsession. Skin, hair, chest, stomach and face are the most frequently affected areas.
BDD symptoms include:
- Spending too much time worrying about at least one physical feature you perceive as a flaw or defect, despite the fact that others claim it's unimportant or that they're unaware of it. That may also lead you to judge your looks against that of others
- Employing apps or picture filters to cover up or change aspects of your appearance that you don't like. Taking selfies (selfies taken with a smartphone) frequently to check your appearance
- Avoiding circumstances where others might recognize the aspects of yourself that you dislike. That may cause you to miss out on social occasions or interfere with your work or school commitments
- Repeated medical operations, like cosmetic surgery, to 'correct' aspects of your appearance that you don't like
- Self-harm or suicide ideas brought on by your appearance
- Comparing oneself with others constantly
- Asking others frequently whether they think you look alright
- Not trusting others' statements that you look fine
Teenage years are when BDD typically begins, during a time when worry over appearance is prevalent. People with BDD have significant suicide rates.
Treatment Options for Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Without a doctor's assistance, body dysmorphic disorder is tough to treat. It rarely gets better by itself and occasionally gets worse.
Your doctor and knowledgeable mental health specialists will be able to recommend the most effective course of treatment and counseling for you if you suffer from body dysmorphic disorder and other mental health disorders.
If you believe you may have a body dysmorphic disorder, consult your doctor. Treatment options may include both medication and counseling. The psychotherapy employed is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This sort of therapy involves talking, and often, several sessions are required.
Depending on their age, adolescents with body dysmorphic disorders are typically treated with education regarding the illness. If a child has moderate to severe issues, pharmaceutical suggestions may be made if there's no change after 12 weeks.
Exercise and physical activity can assist in managing ancillary conditions, including depression, stress, and anxiety.
See your doctor if you believe you may have a body dysmorphic disorder. Your doctor will likely inquire about your issue to determine its severity and whether you need to consult a psychologist or another professional.
To help your mental health professional identify your disorder and determine the best course of action, try to be open and honest about your feelings. Eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders share some characteristics with body dysmorphic disorder, which are crucial in providing the most precise answers possible.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
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