Everything you need to know about body dysmorphic disorder
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| Body dysmorphic disorder is a type of mental illness in which a person is overly concerned about a defect in his body shape. |
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) | Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Body
Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a relatively common mental illness, in which
a person is severely anxious because of a defect in their personal appearance.
BDD varies, but for many people, it causes a severe psychological problem and
can be so severe that it can severely affect work, school or social attitudes.
It can be a concern towards any part of the body but represents the face and
hair areas most often. For example, a person may feel a lot of anxiety as a result
of having a crooked smile or an uneven smile, or some believe that acne or
facial hair is more obvious than it is. Others fear that their overall
appearance is unacceptable.
In this article, we will highlight the causes of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), its
symptoms and the available treatments.
What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?
Naturally, most people
are worried about some of their facial features and bodies at some point. But a
person with a body dysmorphic disorder spends a lot of time thinking about some
of the physical details that are hardly noticeable to others. This anxiety can
turn into a pathological obsession. The disease has nothing to do with a
person's true physical appearance, but about the self-image of the individual
or the perception that the individual sees himself.
One study indicates that
the proportion of people infected in the United States ranges from 0.7-4.0% of
the population. It is spread in the 15-30 age group. Women are more susceptible
to infection than men.
In many cases, anxiety
levels can significantly affect social relationships and life. However, if an
infected person receives an accurate diagnosis, drug therapy and
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), he can get rid of this disorder easily.
Causes of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Doctors are still unsure
about the real causes of this disorder but there are some possible reasons that
may include:
Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder (OCD): Those who have OCD
or who are related to people with OCD often have a body dysmorphic disorder.
One study suggests that 8-37% of OCD sufferers have a body
dysmorphic disorder. People with both diseases also respond to the same
treatment.
Genetic Factors: A small study suggests that genetics may
play a role in this disorder. It notes that 8% of the infected people are
family members who have been infected at some point.
Low Serotonin Levels: In the study, researchers have found the
low levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin in some people with body
dysmorphic disorder. But it is still unknown whether these factors play a role
or not. Researchers say the relationship between serotonin and body dysmorphic
disorder may be complicated.
Visual Processing
Disorder and Other Brain Issues: In a 2004 study, participants were asked to perform tasks
including drawing shapes and looking at images. It is not known whether these
factors are a cause or a consequence of the disease.
Childhood experiences: One study suggests that people who have
suffered from bullying or negative comments about their bodies in the past are
more likely to have a disfigurement. Increasing awareness of beauty standards
also increases the risk of infection, but the study suggests that this maybe
the result of the disease and not a cause.
Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
The main symptom of body dysmorphic disorder is the frequent attention and anxiety of the person
with a slight physical defect.
Symptoms are long-term
and vary in intensity, and the concentration of the person may move from one
part of his body to another.
The most common areas of
the body are:
⇨The skin: For example,
acne, oily skin, and wrinkles.
⇨The face: For example,
increased anxiety about facial hair.
There are some special
areas in the body which are infected the most such as the nose, the mouth, the
teeth, the hair loss sites, breast, and genitals.
Frequent attention to
the body and anxiety can lead to the following behaviors:
⇒Repeat touch, stare and
measure the imagined defect.
⇒Increase self-awareness
of physical appearance.
⇒Research and excessive
reading about the defect.
⇒Neglect of professional,
social, family and personal health due to the high preoccupation with the
defect.
⇒Spend many hours a day
thinking about this imbalance and the difficulty of thinking about something
else.
⇒Frequent consideration
of mirror or doors and reflective surfaces.
⇒Repetition of personal
images (Selfie) in order to prove his belief.
⇒Avoid mirrors and remove
them from the house.
⇒Attempts to hide the
defect. For example, using wigs, clothes or make-up.
⇒Frequent visits to the
plastic surgeon.
⇒Try to convince others
that there is something wrong and frustrated when others do not see it.
If a friend or another
person tries to convince him that there is no fault, the infected person will
not be convinced. The person may also think that others are staring, talking
about, or making fun of him, even though this does not exist.
Body dysmorphic
disorder can affect a person's life. Some sufferers are unable to continue
their professional and social life. Some can become anxious and depressed.
Sometimes it can lead to suicide.
Diagnosis of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Many patients do not
receive early diagnosis or treatment because they rarely turn to a specialist
or psychiatrist. Instead, seek help from your orthodontist, dermatologist, the aesthetic surgeon or any other specialist who can make a change in your
appearance.
Diagnostic criteria for Body Dysmorphic Disorder
⇨Frequent thinking of one
or more formal defects that are hardly noticeable to others.
⇨Repeating some
behaviors. For example, looking in the mirror, or touching or rubbing and
capturing the imaginary defect, or drawing comparisons with others.
⇨Frequent thinking causes
great sadness and anxiety for a person and affects professional social
relationships and other areas of life.
⇨Anxiety is not
associated with weight in people with an eating disorder such as anorexia
nervosa.
The role of plastic surgeons in the diagnosis
In a study published in
2015, it was found that 7-8% of those who wanted plastic surgery in the United
States had a body dysmorphic disorder. However, researchers believe that the
actual number is much more. They are urging plastic surgeons to be aware of the
symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. The patient should be encouraged to visit
the psychiatrist rather than agree to the plastic surgery.
One of the methods used
to identify the disorder is by using a questionnaire to diagnose body
dysmorphic disorder. This diagnostic tool describes people who seek cosmetic
surgery for no apparent reason. For example, if a person with a body dysmorphic
disorder undergoes cosmetic surgery, they notice that they are not
satisfied with the results of the operation. Therefore, surgery does not reduce
the symptoms of the disorder and may be dangerous and expensive.
If a specialist or the plastic surgeon finds any of the following symptoms, he will refer the person
to a psychiatrist:
⇒The person had frequent
surgeries and did not get a satisfactory result.
⇒A person has criteria
for diagnosing a body dysmorphic disorder.
⇒Having a simple flaw but
represents the most important thing in a person's life.
⇒Exaggerated anxiety
compared to the size of the defect.
Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Treatment is difficult,
as patients refuse to visit a psychiatrist for not accepting that they have a
psychiatric disorder. So the treatment requires many visits and the use of
methods to gain the patient's confidence before being told that his physical
defects are actually psychological illnesses. In the case of BDD, the treatment
generally includes medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The goal of using CBT is
to change a person's beliefs and the way they think. It also helps the patient
stop negative thoughts, and encourage him to see himself in a more realistic
and positive way.
You can also learn
healthy ways to resist some repetitive behaviors, such as repeating a mirror.
There are many online
cognitive-behavioral therapy courses that are often less expensive than direct
counseling.
Medication
According to evidence,
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant
medication can alleviate the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder in half
of the users. Examples of these drugs are fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and citalopram.
Repetitive
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
In a new study published
in 2018, researchers found a new method of treatment, which is the repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS or TMS), by stimulating specific brain
locations using electromagnetic fields. Scientists are looking at using this technique to treat depression, psychosis, and anxiety.
Conclusion
⇒Body dysmorphic disorder
is a severe mental illness.
⇒BDD may cause a severe psychological problem that can severely affect work, school or social
attitudes.
⇒Genetics, OCD, VPD, low
serotonin levels and childhood experiences are some possible risk factors.
⇒Proper treatment and
diagnosis can help:
↣Relieve symptoms and
help the patient see himself in a positive way.
↣Solve the underlying
problems causing the disease.
↣Prevent the infected person from unnecessary and dangerous surgical procedures.
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