Description

Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition in which you cannot stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a bug that seems to be of minor importance or may not be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations.

When you have body dysmorphic disorder, you intensely focus on your appearance and body image, repeatedly checking the mirror, grooming or seeking reassurance, sometimes for many hours each day. Your perceived flaw, and the repetitive behaviors cause significant discomfort, and impact on their ability to function in your daily life.

You may seek out numerous cosmetic procedures to try to "fix" your perceived flaw. Afterward, you may feel temporary satisfaction or a reduction in their distress, but often the anxiety is back and you can continue to search for other ways to fix your perceived flaw.

Treatment of body dysmorphic disorder can include cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder include:

  • They are very concerned with the perception of a defect in the appearance that the others can't be seen or seems to be of minor importance
  • Strong belief that there is a defect in your appearance that makes you ugly or deformed
  • The belief that others take special notice of your appearance in a negative way or make fun of you
  • Participation in behaviors aimed at fixing or hiding the perceived flaw that they are difficult to resist or control, such as frequently checking the mirror, grooming or skin picking
  • Trying to hide the obvious flaws with the hairstyle, the makeup or the clothes
  • Constantly compare their appearance with others
  • Frequently in search of peace of mind about your appearance from others
  • Have perfectionist tendencies
  • The search cosmetic procedures with little satisfaction
  • To avoid social situations

The concern with his appearance, and the excess thoughts and repetitive behaviors may be unwanted, difficult to control and so much time that can cause great suffering or problems in your social life, work, school or other areas of functioning.

You may overly focus on one or more parts of your body. The body of the feature that you focus on may change with time. The most common features that people tend to be set include:

  • Face, as the nose, skin, wrinkles, acne and other imperfections
  • The hair, such as the appearance, the thinning and baldness
  • The skin and vein appearance
  • The size of the breasts
  • The size of the muscles and tone
  • Genitals

A concern with their body build is too small or not muscular enough (dysmorphia muscle) occurs almost exclusively in men.

Of knowledge about body dysmorphic disorder varies. You can recognize that their beliefs about their perceived flaws may be too much or not be true, or to believe that they are probably true, or be absolutely convinced that it is true. The more convinced they are of their beliefs, the more distress and disorders that you may experience in your life.

When to see a doctor

The shame and embarrassment about your appearance may avoid seeking treatment for body dysmorphic disorder. But if you have signs or symptoms, see your health care provider or a mental health professional.

Body dysmorphic disorder does not usually improve on their own. If left untreated, can worsen over time, leading to anxiety, extensive medical bills, severe depression, and even suicidal thoughts and behavior.

If you have thoughts of suicide

Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common with body dysmorphic disorder. If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, get help right away:

  • In the U. S, call 911 or the local emergency number immediately.
  • In contact with a direct line of suicide. In the united states, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat . The services are free and confidential.
  • Call your mental health professional.
  • Seek the help of your primary care provider.
  • Reaching out to a friend or loved one.
  • Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your faith community.

Causes

It is not known specifically what causes body dysmorphic disorder. Like many other mental health conditions, body dysmorphic disorder can result from a combination of problems, such as a family history of the disease, negative evaluations or experiences about your body or self-image, and the alteration of brain function or abnormal levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin.

Risk factors

Body dysmorphic disorder usually begins in the early years of adolescence and affects both men and women.

There are certain factors which appear to increase the risk of developing or trigger body dysmorphic disorder, including:

  • Having blood relatives with body dysmorphic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Negative experiences, such as childhood, the mockery, neglect or abuse
  • Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism
  • Societal pressure or expectations of beauty
  • Having another mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression

Complications

The complications that can be caused by, or associated with body dysmorphic disorder, which include, for example:

  • Low self-esteem
  • Social isolation
  • Depression or other mood disorders
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
  • Anxiety disorders including social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Eating disorders
  • The misuse of substances
  • Health problems of behavior, such as skin picking
  • The physical pain or the risk of disfigurement due to repeated surgical interventions

Prevention

There is No known way to prevent the body dysmorphic disorder. However, due to body dysmorphic disorder often begins in the early years of adolescence, identifying the disorder early and the start of treatment may be of some benefit.

The long-term maintenance treatment also may help prevent a relapse of the disorder, body dysmorphic symptoms.

Diagnosis

After a medical evaluation to rule out other medical conditions, the doctor may make a referral to a mental health professional for further evaluation.

The diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder is typically based on:

  • A psychological evaluation of the risk factors and of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to negative self-image
  • Personal, social, family and medical
  • Signs and symptoms

Treatment

Treatment for body dysmorphic disorder often includes a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications.

The cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder focuses on:

  • Helping you learn how the negative thoughts, emotional reactions and behaviors to keep the problems in time
  • Challenging automatic negative thoughts about your body image and learning more flexible ways of thinking
  • Learning alternative ways to manage impulses, or rituals to help reduce the mirror checking, who seek tranquility or the excessive use of medical services
  • The teaching of other behaviors to improve your mental health, such as the care of the social avoidance and increase the participation of healthy supports and activities

You and your mental health care provider can talk to you about your goals for therapy and to develop a personalized treatment plan to learn and strengthen coping skills. Involving family members in treatment may be particularly important, especially for adolescents.

Drugs

Although there are no medications specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat body dysmorphic disorder, medications used to treat other mental health conditions such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder — can be effective.

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Ssris). Due to that body dysmorphic disorder may be caused in part by problems related to serotonin, Ssris may be prescribed. The ssris appear to be more effective for body dysmorphic disorder other antidepressants and may help to control the negative thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
  • Other medications. In some cases, you may benefit from taking other medications in addition to an SSRI , depending on the symptoms.

Hospitalization

In some cases, the body dysmorphic disorder symptoms may be severe enough to require psychiatric hospitalization. This is usually only recommended when you are not able to keep up with the day-to-day responsibilities, or when you are in danger of hurting himself.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Body dysmorphic disorder ensures that the treatment of a mental health professional. But you can do some things to build in your treatment plan, such as:

  • Stick to your treatment plan. Don't skip therapy sessions, even if you don't want to go. Even if you feel good, continue to take your medications. If you are stopped, the symptoms may return. You may also experience withdrawal symptoms of stopping a medicine too soon.
  • Learn about your disease. Education about body dysmorphic disorder can empower you and motivate you to stick to your treatment plan.
  • Pay attention to the warning signs. Work with your doctor or mental health provider to learn what might trigger your symptoms. Make a plan for what to do if symptoms return. Contact your health care provider or mental health provider if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel.
  • The practice learned strategies. At home, routinely practice the skills you learned during the therapy, so that they become stronger habits.
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol. Alcohol and recreational drugs can make the symptoms worse or interact with medications.
  • Stay active. Physical activity and exercise can help to control many of the symptoms, such as depression, stress and anxiety. Consider walking, jogging, swimming, working in the garden or take other form of physical activity that you enjoy. However, avoid excessive exercise as a way to correct a perceived flaw.

Coping and support

Talk with your doctor or mental health professional about improving their coping skills, and ways to focus on identifying, monitoring and change negative thoughts and behaviors about their appearance.

Consider these tips to help you deal with body dysmorphic disorder:

  • Write in a journal. This can help to better identify the negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
  • Don't isolate yourself. Try to participate in social activities, and meets periodically with the friends and family that can act as a healthy supports.
  • Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, stay physically active and get enough sleep.
  • Join a support group. Connect with other people facing similar challenges.
  • Stay focused on your goals. Recovery is an ongoing process. Stay motivated by keeping your recovery goals in mind.
  • Learn relaxation and stress management. Try practicing stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation or deep-breathing exercises.
  • Do not make important decisions when you are feeling distress or despair. You may not think clearly and may regret their decisions later.

Preparing for your appointment

Although you can start talking with your health care provider about your concerns, the more likely it is to be referred to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist for further assessment and specialist treatment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • Any symptoms you or your family noticed, and for how long. Ask your friends or family members if you have been feeling concerned about their behavior and what I have noticed.
  • Key personal information, including traumatic events in the past and present, the main causes of stress. Find out about your family's medical history, including a history of mental health problems such as body dysmorphic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Your medical information, including other physical or mental health conditions with which you have been diagnosed.
  • All the medicines you take, including the names and doses of the medicines, herbs, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • The questions you want to ask your health care provider or mental health provider to make the most of your appointment.

Some basic questions to ask include:

  • What do you think is most likely causing my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • Could behavioral therapy be helpful?
  • There are medications that can help?
  • How long will treatment take?
  • What can I do to help myself?
  • Do you have any brochures or other printed material I can have?
  • There are websites that you can recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider or mental health provider may ask you questions, such as:

  • Are you worried about your appearance?
  • When did you first begin to worry about their appearance?
  • How is your daily life affected by their symptoms?
  • How much time do you spend each day thinking about your appearance?
  • What other treatment, if any, have you had it?
  • What cosmetic procedures, if any, have you had it?
  • What have you tried on your own to feel better, or the control of the symptoms?
  • What things make you feel worse?
  • Have friends or family members commented on your mood or behavior?
  • Do you have relatives who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition?
  • What to expect from treatment?
  • What medications, herbs, or other supplements you take?

Your health care provider or mental health provider will ask you additional questions based on your responses, symptoms, and needs. Prepare and anticipate the questions will help you make the most of your appointment time.

Symptoms and treatment of Body dysmorphic disorder