One of the body disorders that has gained an increasing amount of attention in the past few decades is a condition known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). This disorder is not always visible to the public as the shame people feel about certain parts of their body is not always obvious to others. People who suffer from this disorder often have obsessive thoughts and perform repetitive behaviors related to the appearance of a part of their body. They might even want to have procedures such as rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, or fillers to try and alter their appearance in order to gain the look they desire for their body.
Our examination of this disorder begins with an overview of the topic from Cosmetic Town TV:
If a person has an eating disorder, they likely view their body as being too fat even if they are actually considered to be too thin. On the other hand, a person with BDD views their appearance as being disfigured or ugly even though others consider their appearance to be normal and even attractive.
It has been reported that body dysmorphic disorder is more common in all genders than anorexia and bulimia. According to a study published in CNS Spectrums, about 2.5% of women and 2.2% of men in the United States meet the criteria for BDD and this is higher than the prevalence in the general population of conditions as varied as bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia.
The study was conducted by a team of mental health and communications researchers and clinicians from Hofstra Medical School, Colorado State University Global, and the University of Toronto. They feel that BDD needs to be better understood by the public and also needs to be publicized to a greater extent so a larger number of people who are experiencing the condition can be properly diagnosed and treated.
A person who is suffering from BDD shares similar negative emotions about their appearance with those who have an eating disorder including disgust, shame, and anger. Both groups also seek reassurance from others about their appearance, check their look in the mirror, and use their clothing to hide what they perceive to be defects in their appearance.
Depression is a common issue with BDD patients, and these patients also have a higher rate of suicidality than a person with an eating disorder (and this includes thoughts about suicide and attempts to commit suicide). Even though both disorders can be life-threatening, people who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder experience more impairment (on average) in the daily functioning of their lives than someone with an eating disorder.
There has been research that indicates that 66% of those with BDD have undergone some type of dermatological or cosmetic treatment. However, once they start to feel better about the appearance of a certain body part after surgery, their obsession over the look of their body can start to move to other body parts. Some people will have multiple procedures performed on the same part of the body while others might be driven to attempt suicide due to their disappointment in the results of a treatment on the area of the body they obsess about on a daily basis. BDD often involves a fixation by the person on a specific feature of the body such as the curvature or contour of a body part or the shape and size of the nose.
While the exact causes of BDD are unknown, it is believed that some of the possible reasons for its development include genetic factors, trauma, childhood bullying or teasing, the standards of beauty shown in the mass media, and growing up in a family that placed a high emphasis on appearances.
One of the most common treatments for BDD is cognitive behavioral therapy where therapists help patients modify their intrusive beliefs and thoughts about their appearance including eliminating behaviors that are associated with body image such as seeking reassurance from others and checking the mirror.
There are some medications, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), that can help including Zoloft and Prozac to reduce depression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, and negative beliefs. These medications also help a patient see an improvement in their ability to function on a daily basis.
Patients who want to make a change in their appearance due to BDD need to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will help them address and treat the disorders related to their body before performing any type of cosmetic procedure that will alter or enhance the look of a part of the body. The compulsive behaviors and negative feelings felt by a person need to be diagnosed and treated before a patient is able to make the final decision to have a cosmetic procedure.
- MA
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