Written by Eda Gorbis, PhD, MFCC, Assistant Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine (more about author).
What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is described by the psychiatric Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance, and if indeed a slight defect is present the individual's preoccupation with that defect is markedly excessive. There is an ongoing debate among researchers regarding the exact categorization of body dysmorphic disorder as a disorder, but many professionals consider it to be a form or subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Nevertheless, the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder manifest as excessive concern with one's appearance or a particular part of one's body, the concerns propelled by self-focused obsessions that generate significant levels of distress that disrupt one's ability to function. BDD is marked by excessive preoccupation so intense it makes it extremely difficult to focus on anything other than that body part or perceived flaw, provoking requests for reassurances from others as well as checking and seeking reassurance in any available mirror or reflection. A major symptom of body dysmorphic disorder is a tormenting doubt; the underlying question related to uncertainty about ones body part, or appearance. It is important to mention that symptoms can shift from concern about one aspect of appearance to another at any time.
Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder a symptom of OCD or is it an entirely different problem?
There is an ongoing debate among researchers regarding the exact categorization of body dysmorphic disorder as a disorder, but many professionals consider it to be a form or subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. body dysmorphic disorder often subsists amidst a cluster of related anxiety disorders including OCD, General Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, as well as Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa. The BDD fear structure is similar to that of OCD, but the obsessions and compulsions are specifically related to ones body.
How does someone know that s/he has Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and isn't just concerned with a problem with his/her appearance?
Body dysmorphic disorder is not analogous to the common feelings of insecurity or appearance related self-consciousness that most people have experienced at one time or another. Many people are somewhat critical of their appearance, and some people will go to great lengths in attempt to change what they consider to be flawed. Plastic surgery is increasing in popularity, and more people are willing to take the risk of "going under the knife." A specific aspect of appearance can be surgically altered or "corrected" through procedures such as rhinoplasty.
Many people who have had this procedure are happy with the results and can move on with their life. When, however, body dysmorphic disorder is a factor, the nose will never be perfect — or if they are satisfied with the nose, another obsessive fixation on a different body part will take over.
A person suffering from BDD is subjected to high levels of distress that interfere with healthy functioning, and obsessions consume more than one that daily. Furthermore, symptoms often disrupt interpersonal relationships, and impair social and occupational performances. This physical fixation caused by the disorder distorts self-perception making difficult to objectively appraise the appearance of self.
It is not uncommon for people suffering from BDD to perceive their own image so distorted, while they may be able to appraise appropriately accurate appearances of others, at the same time they fail to objectively appraise appearance of self. What people with BDD perceive is actually similar to the reflection we have all seen in a distorted carnival fun-house mirror.
How much concern about "problems" with one's appearance signals that
that person might have Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Body dysmorphic disorder can be recognized when concern with ones appearance leads to excessive distress, withdrawal from social appearances or relationships, or even avoidance of public appearances as simple as going for a ride in a car or going to a swimming pool. Excessive concern about perfected appearance in dress, makeup, jewelry, and hair is also evident, which may result in grooming between one up to 12 hours per day. These avoidances can progress to tragic proportions.
In severe cases of body dysmorphic disorder, we often observe repeated cosmetic surgical interventions that are uncalled for, inappropriate, and unnecessary. The problem is that cosmetic surgeons, often due to difficulty in understanding and diagnosing BDD, are not able to identify the problem. The most extreme case that I saw in my practice involved a patient who had undergone 17 plastic surgeries, procedures most people would consider unnecessary and even dangerous.
What are some of the symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?
Symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder include (but are not limited to) excessive concern with a particular body part or aspect of appearance. The distress caused by this fixation can lead to compulsive behaviors such as repeated questioning and seeking reassurance, endless matching of the clothing, social withdrawal, impairments or nonexistence of interpersonal intimate relationships, inability to tolerate social situations, constant checking for physical imperfections through touching, testing for bumps, feeling for symmetry, searching for flaws, skin picking, measuring the waste line, noses, counting hairs that fell out, etc.
Who gets Body Dysmorphic Disorder? More women then men? Younger people?
People with other anxiety disorders are more likely to be diagnosed with BDD due to the high comorbidity of anxiety disorders. More men are treated for BDD then women; however, more research is necessary to see the exact distribution. There is some speculation that female BDD symptoms are more likely to be interpreted as "normal" female behavior and are likely to be overlooked and remain untreated. The onset of BDD is not exclusive to a particular age, though symptoms often emerge during teen-age years.
What causes Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
There are some theories, but the specific causes of BDD are not known. Many experts agree that sociological and biological factors play a role in the development of BDD.
What is the difference between concern about one's appearance and obsessing about supposed flaws?
When concern with ones appearance interferes with social/occupational performance it may be a symptom of BDD. Simply put, if a persons appearance becomes the center of their focus and they can no longer maintain a healthy perspective on life it becomes an unhealthy obsession.
How can Body Dysmorphic Disorder impact a person's life?
The degree to which body dysmorphic disorder affects ones life depends on the severity of the
symptoms/condition as well as the persons ability to use mindfulness, a nesicary practice
for treating the disorder. BDD symptoms can cause one to avoid public places and social
situations, undergo multiple and unnecessary plastic surgeries, be housebound, cause low
self-esteem, depression, anger, anxiety, eating disorders. In severe cases it can even lead to suicide.
Do people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder actually see themselves differently or are they
interpreting what they see differently? Do they imagine flaws and
imperfections or do they misperceive what they actually see?
People with body dysmorphic disorder misperceive what they see. There is misinterpretation and distortion in what is the actual flaw.
Do people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder experience a kind of paranoia about their perceived
flaws? Do they believe or feel that others are taking special notice of their "defects," or staring at it or laughing at it?
People with body dysmorphic disorder certainly do experience extreme self-consciousness. It sometimes becomes evident begins avoiding social situations, and not wanting others to see them. BDD leads people to sense that other people are criticizing their perceived imperfections. Around others, they get the feeling of being scrutinized under magnifying glass. As these fixations intensify the belief that people are looking at the perceived "defects" seems rational. Other's actions are interpreted in reference to the particular "flaw" and it seems that people are starring, laughing, and discussing them behind their backs.
Is the person with Body Dysmorphic Disorder literally delusional about the existence of the flaws or imperfects he feels he has?
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) just like OCD ranges in its severity; level of insight and insight may actually be evaluated as good to poor or extremely poor. People entrenched with extremely poor insight may be close to overvalued ideation about imperfections that he/ she feels.
What kinds of compulsive behaviors do people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder perform?
Compulsive behaviors of people with body dysmorphic disorder vary depending on their "area of concern." For example, if one is concerned with her/his nose, they might touch it, check it in the mirror or any reflecting surfaces, get plastic surgeries, and perfect it endlessly. In general, symptoms include seeking for reassurance, body checks, and checking ones image in any reflecting surfaces.
Does a person with Body Dysmorphic Disorder typically ask family and friends for reassurance
about his appearance or try to convince them that they are ugly?
People with BDD typically ask for reassurance. However, responses to repeated questioning lead to other questions in different forms that are underlined by uncertainty. These compulsions result in no relief but rather and in fact reinforce the false belief system and unhealthy fixations leading to further compulsive questioning and on and on.
Does Body Dysmorphic Disorder interfere an individual doing his job, managing a household or
maintaining relationships with friends and family?
One of the parts of being diagnosed with BDD is the fact that ones relationships and functioning are handicapped by the symptoms. Person might be so concerned with having their hair done perfectly, that they will not be able to even leave the house, or have time to do anything else except for doing their hair.
Do people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder have problems leaving their homes, shopping, engaging
in work and play activities?
People with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) believe that some aspect of their appearance is not perfect. They spend endless amounts of time and a lot of effort trying to perfect that particular aspect of appearance. If their "area of concern" is not perfect [it never is], they are reluctant to leave the house or continue with the daily activities. It is not only that they know that they are not perfect, but also they believe that they will be highly scrutinized by others (watched under magnifying glass). All those factors make it difficult for people with BDD to go on with even routine daily activities.
What causes Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
The exact causes of body dysmorphic disorder are not known. More research is needed to answer this question.
Are there treatments for Body Dysmorphic Disorder? What are they?
There are excellent treatments for BDD. One of them is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
with uses exposure and response prevention. Also the addition of mindful awareness training,
cognitive restructuring, and Socratic questioning to CBT can be useful.
Are there medications that are effective for Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Medications may or may not be effective. Each and every case is different. For people
with high base anxiety, medications may be used to reduce the amount of experienced anxiety. In some cases, medications can also be used to alleviate other psychological disorders that are present and may interfere with the treatment of BDD (e.g., depression, panic attacks). However, some kind of therapy is required in addition to the medication.
Is cognitive behavior therapy an effective treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been proven to be highly effective in treating body dysmorphic disorder. At our institute we had many successful cases of people who have been treated with CBT
and got great outcomes.
What can family members do to help a person with Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Family's understanding, support, and love are required. Oftentimes, people misperceive body dysmorphic disorder symptoms as one being shallow and self-absorbed. It is very important for families to understand that BDD is a disorder. It requires treatment. It is also extremely important to help one find appropriate help as soon as possible because symptoms might worsen.
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