What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health disorder in which a person cannot stop thinking about flaws in their appearance.
Although this deficiency may seem small or invisible, and may not be of great concern to others, sufferers will feel very embarrassed, anxious, and worried, thus avoiding many social situations.
When someone has this disorder, they will be very focused on their appearance and body image. They will repeatedly look at their reflection in the mirror, dressing themselves or correcting something. Sometimes, this can happen for hours every day.
The perceived deficiencies and repetitive behaviors cause sufferers to experience significant difficulties. Not infrequently, this will affect the sufferer’s daily activities.
In addition, sufferers will seek out various cosmetic procedures to try to “fix” their perceived flaws. Afterward, they will feel a temporary sense of satisfaction.
Unfortunately, anxiety often recurs and the sufferer may continue to look for other ways to correct the deficits that have occurred.
Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
In general, the signs and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder include:
- Becoming very preoccupied with flaws in appearance that to others are invisible or seem minor.
- A strong belief that having an appearance flaw makes one feel ugly or inadequate.
- A feeling of conviction that others are observing their appearance negatively or making fun of them.
- Engaging in behaviors aimed at correcting or hiding emerging flaws that are difficult to control, such as frequent mirror-looking.
- Trying to hide their perceived flaws with style, makeup, or clothing.
- Constantly comparing his appearance with others.
- Often seeks reassurance about his/her appearance from others.
- Has perfectionist tendencies.
- Looking for a cosmetic procedure with a little satisfaction.
- Avoiding social situations.
Preoccupation with appearance and excessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors can be undesirable, difficult to control, and so time-consuming that they can cause significant distress or problems in social, work, school, or other areas of functioning.
People with this disorder focus excessively on one or more parts of their body. The parts they focus on can also change over time.
However, the most common areas that tend to make sufferers feel lacking include:
- Face, such as nose, facial skin, wrinkles, acne, and other blemishes.
- Hair, such as appearance, thinning, and baldness.
- Appearance of skin and veins.
- Breast size.
- Muscle size and mass.
- Genitals.
A form of preoccupation with building a body that is too small or not muscular enough (muscle dysmorphia) occurs almost exclusively in males.
However, insights into this mental disorder can vary greatly.
A person may recognize that their perceived inadequacy beliefs are exaggerated or untrue, think that they are true, or truly believe that they are true.
The more certain a person is of their self-belief, the more hardships and disturbances they will experience in their life.
Causes of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Unfortunately, experts do not yet know for sure what causes body dysmorphic disorder.
However, experts suspect that these mental problems occur due to a combination of the following factors:
- Genetics. Studies suggest that BDD is more common in people with a family history of the same health condition. However, it is uncertain whether the disorder arises due to genetic conditions or a combination of environment and parenting.
- Abnormalities in brain structure. Abnormalities that occur in the brain structure or compounds found in its interior can also be the cause of this disorder.
- Environment. Bad judgment from the environment towards the sufferer’s self-image, past trauma, and bad experiences such as receiving body shaming treatment, can also trigger body dysmorphic disorder.
Risk Factors for Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder usually occurs in early adolescence and affects both genders.
However, there are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing this mental disorder, namely:
- Having a family member with the same disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Negative life experiences, such as childhood teasing, neglect, or abuse.
- Having certain personality traits, such as perfectionism.
- Social pressure or beauty expectations.
- Having another mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or anorexia nervosa.
Diagnosis of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
The process of diagnosing BDD involves a series of evaluations by a psychologist or psychiatrist. Here are the steps:
1. Clinical Interview
First, the doctor will conduct a clinical interview with the person suspected of having BDD.
During this process, the doctor will ask the patient to talk about their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors as well as their perceptions of their physical appearance.
2. Diagnostic criteria
Next, the doctor will refer to the Diagnostic Criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
If the patient meets these criteria, then he is determined to have BDD.
3. Checking medical history
Doctors also need to gather information about the patient’s mental and medical health history.
They also need to find out if there are any other disorders that may be related to or contributing to BDD symptoms.
4. Physical examination
Doctors may also perform a physical examination to rule out other conditions that have symptoms similar to BDD.
5. Collaborate with other health teams
Diagnosis of BDD often involves collaboration between mental health professionals, such as a general practitioner or other specialists if necessary.
The aim is to ensure that all aspects of an individual’s health are taken into account.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Treatment
Treatment for this health disorder often includes a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medication.
1. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on:
- Helping sufferers learn how negative thoughts, emotional reactions, and behaviors maintain the problem over time.
- Challenging automatic negative thoughts about the patient’s body image and learning more flexible ways of thinking.
- Learning alternative ways to deal with urges or rituals can help reduce mirror checking or reassurance seeking.
- Teaching the sufferer other behaviors to improve mental health, such as overcoming social avoidance.
The sufferer and therapist can talk about the goals of therapy and develop a treatment plan to learn and strengthen coping mechanism skills.
Involving family members in treatment is very important, especially for adolescents.
2. Medicines
While no medications have been specifically approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat this condition, medication options to treat other mental health conditions, such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, may be effective.
Here are some types of drugs:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) . This problem arises in part because of problems with the brain chemical serotonin, so your doctor may prescribe SSRIs. These drugs appear to be more effective than other antidepressants for treating this disorder and may help control negative thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
- Other medications. In some cases, people may benefit from taking other medications in addition to SSRIs, depending on their symptoms.
3. Hospitalization
In some cases, the symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder are so severe that sufferers require psychiatric hospitalization.
Doctors generally recommend this if the sufferer is unable to fulfill daily responsibilities or is in immediate danger of harming themselves.
4. Lifestyle Changes
Body Dysmorphic Disorder requires treatment from a mental health professional. However, sufferers can do several things for a treatment plan, such as:
- Stick to your treatment plan. Don’t skip therapy sessions. Even if you feel better, keep taking your medication. If you stop, your symptoms may come back.
- Learn about the disorder. Education related to the disorder can empower and motivate the person to stick with the treatment plan.
- Watch for warning signs. Work with your doctor or therapist to learn what triggers your symptoms. Make a plan so you know what to do if your symptoms return. Call your doctor or therapist if you notice a change in your symptoms or how you feel.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol. Alcohol and recreational drugs can worsen symptoms or interact with medications.
- Stay active. Physical activity and exercise can help manage many symptoms, such as depression, stress, and anxiety. For example, walking, jogging, swimming, gardening, or doing other physical activities. However, avoid overdoing it as a way to correct any deficiencies that arise.
In addition, it is important for parents to know how to properly handle Body Dysmorphic Disorder in adolescents.