Body Dysmorphic Disorder

The term Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) describes a disabling preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in appearance. It is an anxiety disorder related to body image. It is an under-recognized yet relatively common, severe mental disorder. It can affect both men & women & make sufferers excessively self-conscious. They tend to check their appearance repeatedly & try to camouflage or alter the imaginary physical flaws they see, often undergoing needless cosmetic treatments. Onlookers are frequently perplexed because they can see nothing out of the ordinary, but BDD causes devastating distress & interferes substantially with the ability to function socially.

Causes for BDD

This condition can affect all age groups, but usually starts when a person is teenager or young adult, at a time when people are generally most sensitive about their appearance. Abuse or bullying may cause a person to develop negative self-image, which can eventually lead to obsessions about his or her appearance. Persons having low self-esteem may become fixated on aspects of appearance & which he wants to improve. Fear of being alone or isolated, about not fitting into a group of friends or being unable to have romantic relationships, may develop thought patterns that can lead to BDD. Perfectionists or people competing with others & striving for a perfect appearance or a job that is focused on body, like modeling, bodybuilding or gymnastics may also face a risk of developing BDD.

BDD Symptoms

Being preoccupied with minor or imaginary physical flaws, usually of the skin, hair & nose, such as acne, scarring, facial lines, marks, pale skin, thinning hair, excessive body hair, large nose, or a crooked nose & constantly comparing looks to other people are some of the basic symptoms of BDD. Having lots of anxiety & stress about perceived flaws & spending plenty of time focusing on it, such as frequently picking at skin, excessively checking appearance in mirror, hiding imperfections, excessive grooming, seeking reassurance from others about how they look & going for cosmetic surgery which is unlikely to relieve distress are other pointers to BDD. On the contrary, getting cosmetic surgery can make BDD worse. A person with BDD is often not happy with surgical outcome. Even if satisfied with surgery this person may start to focus attention on another body area & become preoccupied trying to fix the new "flaw." In this case, a person with BDD may become angry at surgeons for making his or her appearance worse & may even become violent. They may also resort to excessive diet & exercise to acquire that imaginary perfect look.

Treating BDD

People with BDD are often reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed or embarrassed. It is a long-term health condition & if left untreated, may get worse. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is thought to be an effective treatment for BDD. Advanced treatment requires medication in addition to Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Joining self-help groups & support of family & friends is also very important extension for treating BDD.

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