A mental disorder that causes continuous thoughts about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance is called body dysmorphic disorder. A flaw is a body part that is usually a minor problem or cannot be seen by others. People with this condition typically feel ashamed, embarrassed, and anxious. Moreover, they try to avoid many social situations.
Those who suffer from this mental disorder are focused on physical appearance and body image every time. Such people frequently check the mirror and seek reassurance. Without treatment, this mental disorder may cause serious distress and interfere with your daily routine.
Most people with body dysmorphic disorder seek cosmetic procedures, trying to fix their perceived flaws. However, these procedures usually help temporarily. The most common treatments recommended by doctors for people with this condition are cognitive behavioral therapy and medicines.
Symptoms
Those who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder often experience the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Continuous thoughts about a perceived flaw in appearance
- Strong belief that they have appearance defects that make them ugly or deformed
- People with this mental health problem believe that other people take their appearance negatively or mock them.
- They try to fix or hide perceived flaws that are difficult to control
- Comparing own appearance with other people
- Frequently seeking cosmetic procedures or reassurance about your appearance from other people
- Perfectionist tendencies
- Regularly avoid social situations
In any case, constant preoccupation with your appearance, multiple thoughts, and repetitive behavior may be unwanted, but are difficult to control. Over time, frequent thoughts about the perceived flaws may cause significant stress or problems with relationships, work, school, and other social situations.
Those who suffer from this condition often focus on one or more body parts. Check below the most common features that people pay attention to:
- Hair (including appearance, baldness, or thinning)
- Face (such as nose, complexion, wrinkles, acne, and others)
- Skin and vein appearance
- Breast size
- Genitalia
- Muscle size and tone
Furthermore, a condition in which a person is preoccupied with the body build being too small or not muscular enough often happens in males. In such cases, the condition is called muscle dysmorphia.
Additionally, the more a person is convinced that perceived flaws are true, the more distress and problems he/she experience.
Some people do not want to see a doctor because they are embarrassed or ashamed. As a result, it prevents you from getting treatment. If you experience any of the previous symptoms or others that cause concerns, do not hesitate to see a doctor. Ignoring the symptoms and not treating the condition may worsen the symptoms over time. Sometimes, people with body dysmorphic disorder may even have suicidal thoughts.
If you see that someone has suicidal thoughts or behavior, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or the emergency number from your region.
Causes
Experts do not fully understand why this condition happens. However, like other mental disorders, it may occur due to a combination of factors. For example, family history of the condition, negative evaluations or experiences about the body and self-image, abnormal brain function, and others. Consult with your doctor if you have additional questions.
Risk Factors
While it is not possible to determine the exact cause of the condition, doctors have identified some factors that could increase the risk of developing it. Moreover, body dysmorphic disorder usually affects teenagers. Check below some factors that may increase your risk of developing the condition:
- Family history – If you have a parent or sibling with this mental disorder, your risk of developing it significantly increases.
- Bad life experiences – These include childhood teasing, neglect, or abuse.
- Some personality traits (such as perfectionism)
- Societal pressure or expectations of beauty
- Other mental disorders (for example, depression, anxiety, and others)
What Happens if Body Dysmorphic Disorder is Left Untreated?
Those who ignore the symptoms and do not treat the condition may experience some complications. Check some examples below:
- Suicidal thoughts or even behavior
- Eating disorders
- Substance abuse
- Other health problems
- Physical pain or increased risk of disfigurement caused by multiple surgical procedures
- Anxiety disorders (such as social phobia)
- Major depression
- Isolation
- Reduced self-esteem
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Talk with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk of body dysmorphic disorder complications.
How to Prevent Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent this condition. The only way you can get some benefits is to diagnose and begin treatment as soon as possible. It may also help to prevent a relapse of the symptoms.
Diagnosis
Doctors usually perform a medical evaluation to confirm the condition and exclude other conditions that cause similar symptoms. Generally, the diagnosis of this condition is often based on the following evaluations and facts:
- Psychological evaluations that assess risk factors, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with poor body image.
- Medical and family history evaluation
- Symptoms
Treatment
Physicians usually recommend for people with body dysmorphic disorder cognitive behavioral therapy and medicines. For example:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This treatment often focuses on the following factors. Examples include:
- Learning how to cope with negative thoughts and emotional distress
- Challenging negative thoughts about your physical appearance
- Learning other methods to handle urges, such as mirror checking and seeking reassurance
- Mental health professionals may also teach you certain behaviors that may help improve the symptoms and your mental health. These include management of social isolation and others.
Generally, the goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to reduce the symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Medicines
There are no medicines approved by the FDA for body dysmorphic disorder treatment. However, doctors may recommend some medicines used to treat other mental health disorders. The following medicines may help lessen some symptoms caused by this condition. Examples include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – This group of medicines is used to treat problems related to the brain chemical serotonin. It may help lessen negative thoughts and repetitive behaviors that people with body dysmorphic disorder experience.
- Other medicines – Depending on the severity of the condition, doctors may recommend other medicines along with SSRIs.
Hospitalization
When the symptoms caused by body dysmorphic disorder are severe, you may need to stay in the hospital for some time. It is often recommended when you cannot control the symptoms and may harm yourself.
Home Remedies
The following tips may help improve the effectiveness of the treatment and reduce the risk of complications. For example:
- Learn about your mental disorder
- Follow the treatment exactly as prescribed by your doctor
- Regularly practice learned techniques
- Avoid illegal drugs and alcoholic drinks
- Exercises may help improve the symptoms (such as stress, anxiety, and depression). You can consider walking, swimming, gardening, and other activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder?
The most common symptoms of this mental disorder include:
- Excessive thoughts and preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance
- Repetitive behaviors (such as mirror checking)
- Isolation
- Stress
If any of the previous symptoms occur, immediately visit your healthcare professional.
Does body dysmorphic go away?
People who get treatment for this condition may experience a remission. In any case, the symptoms may return even after a successful treatment. Discuss with your doctor for more details.
What are the potential complications of body dysmorphic disorder?
These include:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Self-harm
- Body deformation caused by multiple surgeries
This article does not contain all possible complications of this mental disorder. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
