Body dysmorphia

Sometimes we all feel as though we do not fit right into our bodies. Or just that we feel our bodies are not good enough and start to worry too much about the way our body appears. "Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance" (NHS, 2021). A person with BDD could obsess about seemingly little physical imperfections or stress about apparent faults that other people don't see.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is linked to body dysmorphia, yet this relationship is frequently missed. If you have it, you could have a strong impulse to carry out particular rituals or routines (compulsions), such as checking or avoiding mirrors.

Types of body dysmorphia

There may be many types of body dysmorphia, but only a few will be mentioned here. Some of the types include, which are quite common amongst the patients with body dysmorphia:

1. Muscle dysmorphia - a kind of body dysmorphia that makes a person feel insufficiently muscular despite their efforts to build muscle. People who have muscular dysmorphia frequently train out and lift weights for hours at the gym, but they never feel satisfied. To try to increase their muscular bulk, they could also utilize performance-enhancing substances like steroids.
2. Skin dysmorphia - a kind of body dysmorphia known as skin dysmorphia makes a person feel as though there is something wrong with their skin. A person with skin dysmorphia could get fixated on wrinkles, acne, or any other imagined flaws. They could gaze into the mirror for hours while plucking at their skin.
3. Hair dysmorphia - in addition to being a solo disorder, hair loss can also be a sign of body dysmorphia. When a person has hair dysmorphia, they could be overly concerned about losing their hair or think they have more hair than they really do. Hair dysmorphia sufferers may, in severe circumstances, turn to surgery to fix their alleged issue.

These are only a few instances, but the list is endless since people can have dysmorphic thoughts about any part or quality of their bodies.

Symptoms

Body dysmorphia's typical signs and symptoms include:

• Checking the mirror excessively or avoiding mirrors
• Hiding body with oversized clothing or extra accessories.
• Comparing one's own body to others.
• Worrying about appearing "unattractive" to others.
• Needing constant reassurance about the way they look.
• Extreme preoccupation with physical flaws that are minor or imagined.
• Low self-esteem and confidence.

The symptoms clearly show that the most BDD sufferers are preoccupied with their face, hair, and skin, which are the parts of their bodies that are most apparent to others. It is hard for them to get out of this phase as their mind is constantly preoccupied with these thoughts.

Causes

It is unclear what specifically causes body dysmorphia. According to researchers, a number of elements, like as:

Genetics

It is believed that genetics contribute to the emergence of body dysmorphic disorder. According to studies, those who have first-degree relatives with the ailment frequently experience this disorder themselves. In certain families, there may be a number of members struggling with comparable body image concerns. Twin studies have shown that around 44% of the variation in the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder is due to hereditary factors.

Trauma

Trauma is also considered to have a role in body dysmorphic disorder. Abuse on a physical or sexual basis or witnessing terrible occurrences may fall under this category. Feelings of helplessness and low self-esteem might result from these situations. Body dysmorphia may be a more common coping mechanism for trauma survivors. It might also occasionally be a means of separating oneself from the trauma. Up to 79% of persons with body dysmorphia report having suffered maltreatment as children, and many people with BDD claim having been abused by classmates.

Brain chemistry

The development of body dysmorphic disorder may be influenced by anomalies in brain chemistry, according to certain studies. This may help to explain why individuals with a family history of mental illness are more likely to experience this problem. It might also explain why eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders co-occur often with this illness.

Environmental factors

The emergence of body dysmorphic disorder can also be influenced by environmental variables including societal pressure and media representations. As a result of being constantly exposed to "perfect" images in the media, one may develop difficult-to-attain ideals of beauty. This might disturb individuals by making them feel as though their shortcomings are undesirable. Another aspect that may play a role is social pressure to uphold particular aesthetic standards.

Treatment

There are several different ways to treat body dysmorphic disorder. The most popular and efficient treatments include medication, support groups, and cognitive behavioral therapy. According to research, the following strategies work well for treating BDD in patients:

Therapy

Body dysmorphia treatment is crucially dependent on therapy. You can get strategies to manage with unfavorable thoughts and actions as well as an understanding of the underlying reasons of your disease. Some of the forms of therapies include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy

The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to alter unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Body dysmorphic disorder can be effectively treated with it. Other mental health issues including depression and anxiety are frequently treated with CBT. There may also be group therapy sessions offered occasionally, which may be extremely helpful.

Dialectical therapy

A form of therapy called dialectical therapy aims to help patients accept who they are. Body dysmorphic disorder can be effectively treated with it. Additionally, DBT may include group therapy sessions that might aid by offering support and direction.

Family therapy

During therapy, families may be a fantastic source of support. The benefits of family therapy include improved communication and a better understanding of how body dysmorphia affects loved ones. Building a strong support structure is another benefit of family counseling.

Medication

Body dysmorphia may be successfully treated with a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Additionally, SSRIs in conjunction with antipsychotic medications such aripiprazole (Abilify), olanzapine (Zyprexa), or pimozide (Orap) may be beneficial. A person taking medicine will often experience less or milder symptoms, ranging from 50% to 80% of the time. Other medications include:

1. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
2. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
3. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Summary

You're not the only person who obsesses over appearance. Especially among young people, body dysmorphia is widespread. A lot of people struggle with body image and low self-esteem. Your choices for treatment, assistance, and empowerment should be discussed with your healthcare professional.

CBT and medication management can both benefit people with BDD, according to research, and there is mounting evidence of its effectiveness in younger groups. However, many patients continue to display BDD symptoms both during and after therapy. Just knowing that your loved ones are here to support you is enough to keep a full-treatment and be able to reduce the symptoms. And explaining to them about what is going on is also a better way to help them support you better.

References:

Simran (2022). Body Dysmorphia: Meaning, Signs, Types And Treatment Options. [online] Therapy Mantra - Online Therapy Counseling. Available at: https://therapymantra.co/ocd/ocd-bdd/body-dysmorphia/ [Accessed: 16 Jul. 2023].

NHS (2021). Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/body-dysmorphia/ [Accessed: 16 Jul. 2023].

WebMD (2006). Body Dysmorphic Disorder. [online] WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-body-dysmorphic-disorder [Accessed: 16 Jul. 2023].

Dorwart, L. (2022). What Is Body Dysmorphia? [online] Verywell Health. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/body-dysmorphia-5272235 [Accessed: 16 Jul. 2023].

Evans, J.R. (2022). Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Symptoms, Treatment & More. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/body-dysmorphic-disorder#outlook [Accessed: 16 Jul. 2023].

Psychology Today (2015). Body Dysmorphic Disorder | Psychology Today. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder [Accessed: 16 Jul. 2023].