Body dysmorphia is more common than eating disorders. Yet, the understanding of the condition is limited in the public sphere.
Do you constantly fixate on perceived flaws about your body every time you look in the mirror?
Do you worry that your nose is flawed, your teeth too crooked, and you constantly have acne on your skin?
Do you feel like some part of your body is defective or flawed?
If yes, you’re not alone.
As per the American Psychological Association, a majority of Americans deal with negative body image issues. Their mental picture of their body significantly affects their attitudes and well-being.
Among the most severe effects of having a negative body image is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). As per a study by Cambridge University, 2.2% of men and 2.5% of women in the United States met the criteria to be diagnosed with body dysmorphia. Not just that, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, body dysmorphia affects two in every 100 teenagers in the country. It disproportionately affects young girls at a higher rate of 1.8% as compared to 0.3% of boys.
But we live in a world dominated by social media where every person is constantly served and fed body stereotypes, beauty standards, and the sizes of bodies that are socially acceptable. As per research by JMIR Formative Research, out of 10,000 participants, 75% of 16-25 year olds, 59% of women, and 39% of men reported having negative body issues.
So here comes the problem – how do you figure out whether your attitude toward your body is part of body dysmorphic disorder or something less serious (but equally distressing)?
This is why understanding the meaning of body dysmorphia and how it affects people’s lives is essential. In this post, we will explore the signs and symptoms of body dysmorphia, as well as the diagnostic criteria and available treatment options.
But before we get started, here’s something important.
Mental health is diverse and complex. They exist on a spectrum, and every individual has their own experiences. Therefore, don’t start diagnosing yourself with the knowledge you get by reading a few articles on the Internet (though we are incredibly grateful to you for stopping by to enhance your understanding of an important topic). If you find this article helpful or resonate with the symptoms explained in it, consider this as the beginning of your journey of getting the right help.
That’s it. Let’s dive in!
What Is Body Dysmorphia?
In the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM-V), body dysmorphic disorder is defined as a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder. People with BDD are intensely fixated on how they look and spend more than an hour daily thinking about their imperfections and flaws.
The affected individuals are mainly obsessed with certain body parts, primarily their face, body weight, or head. While these perceived flaws become the center of their life, others rarely notice them.
The meaning of body dysmorphia is significantly different than having a distorted body image. While someone with body image issues tends to focus on their entire body, people with BDD are fixated on a specific part. The thoughts about these imperfections significantly affect their daily life, and they can go to extreme lengths to hide them.
Learning to accept yourself can be a starting point in your recovery journey. However, body dysmorphia treatments are imperative to help you lead a healthy life.
What Body Dysmorphia Is Not?
Body dysmorphia is often mistaken for other mental health conditions, especially eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. While both BDD and eating disorders involve an unhealthy focus on one’s appearance, they are not the same thing.
Eating disorders are primarily centered around food, weight, and body size. For example, someone with anorexia may severely restrict their food intake due to an intense fear of gaining weight, or a person with bulimia might binge eat and then purge to prevent weight gain. In these cases, the driving force is the desire to control body weight or shape.
On the other hand, body dysmorphia is more about perceived flaws in specific parts of the body that may have nothing to do with weight at all. Someone with BDD might obsess over the size of their nose, the texture of their skin, or the symmetry of their eyes. These individuals are not necessarily concerned with their overall body shape or weight but rather fixate on one or more perceived physical imperfections that others might not notice.
The confusion between the two conditions can stem from the fact that people with body dysmorphia might also engage in behaviors commonly associated with eating disorders—like avoiding mirrors, excessively checking their appearance, or even seeking out cosmetic surgery. However, the motivation behind these actions is different. For someone with BDD, the focus is on correcting or hiding a perceived flaw, not necessarily on altering their body weight or size.
Signs And Symptoms Of Body Dysmorphia
Recognizing the signs of body dysmorphia can be tricky, especially because it’s often confused with common body image concerns. However, the symptoms of body dysmorphia go beyond general dissatisfaction with one’s appearance and deeply impact everyday life.
Here are the common body dysmorphia symptoms to be aware of:
- Obsessive focus on perceived physical flaws.
- Excessive mirror checking or avoiding mirrors.
- Frequent comparisons with others’ appearance.
- Repetitive grooming or skin-picking behaviors.
- Seeking constant reassurance about appearance.
- Avoiding social situations due to appearance concerns.
- Spending excessive time camouflaging perceived flaws.
- A belief that others are noticing or judging the perceived flaw.
- Pursuing unnecessary cosmetic treatments or surgeries.
- Emotional distress related to appearance, including anxiety or depression.
How Is Body Dysmorphia Diagnosed?
Diagnosing body dysmorphia involves a thorough evaluation by a mental health professional, typically a psychologist or psychiatrist. Since body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) can be easily confused with other mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or eating disorders, a proper diagnosis is essential.
Here’s how body dysmorphia is diagnosed:
1. Clinical Interviews
The first step is usually a detailed clinical interview. The professional will ask about the individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to their body image. They will explore how much time is spent fixating on perceived flaws and how they affect daily life. Questions may also cover any compulsive behaviors like mirror checking or excessive grooming.
2. Assessment of Diagnostic Criteria
To confirm a diagnosis of body dysmorphia, the clinician will refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria. According to the DSM-V, a person must exhibit:
- A preoccupation with one or more perceived physical defects or flaws that are not noticeable or appear slight to others.
- Repetitive behaviors (such as mirror checking or skin picking) or mental acts (such as comparing their appearance to others) are often used in response to appearance concerns.
- Significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning due to these appearance concerns.
3. Exclusion Of Other Conditions
The mental health professional will also ensure that the symptoms are not better explained by another condition, such as an eating disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. For example, in cases of anorexia, the focus is primarily on weight. In contrast, in body dysmorphia, the focus may be on other body parts, such as the skin, nose, or hair.
4. Impact On Daily Life
A critical factor in diagnosing BDD is the degree to which these thoughts and behaviors interfere with a person’s day-to-day life. If the preoccupation with perceived flaws leads to significant distress, avoidance of social situations, or a negative impact on work and relationships, it strengthens the likelihood of a BDD diagnosis.
5. Screening Tools
In some cases, a mental health professional might use specialized questionnaires or screening tools designed to identify symptoms of body dysmorphia. These tools can help gauge the severity of the symptoms and aid in making a more accurate diagnosis.
What Are The Causes Of Body Dysmorphia?
While the exact cause of body dysmorphia is not fully understood, several factors may contribute to the development of the condition. Here are some of the possible causes:
- Genetics
- Brain chemistry
- Trauma or abuse
- Cultural and social pressures
- Perfectionism
- Low self-esteem
- Co-occurring mental health issues
- Negative peer experiences
- Environmental influences
- Childhood neglect or invalidation
What Are The Available Treatment Options For Body Dysmorphia?
Treatment for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) typically involves a combination of psychotherapy and, in some cases, medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the most effective approach for treating BDD. During CBT, individuals work with a therapist to identify and challenge their negative thought patterns and beliefs about their appearance.
In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage the symptoms of body dysmorphia. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant, are commonly used to help regulate the obsessive and compulsive behaviors linked to BDD. These medications can be beneficial when the disorder is accompanied by anxiety or depression.
Support from family and friends is also crucial in the recovery process. Learning how to approach the topic with sensitivity and understanding can provide individuals with the emotional support they need. In more severe cases where BDD severely impacts a person’s ability to function, more intensive interventions like inpatient or outpatient programs may be recommended.
Conclusion:
If reading this blog has made you feel like you might be dealing with body dysmorphia – relax. Help and support are available for you. If you have been seeing a mental health professional, reaching out to them with your concerns can help. If you don’t have a therapist, contact a trusted physician who can direct you toward the right resources.
Additionally, having a diagnosis is not a prerequisite for support. If you don’t have a BDD diagnosis and have been struggling with body image issues, you’re not less deserving of love and care.
Having negative body image issues is a big enough reason to seek out help.
With the advent of online therapy, help is now available in the comfort of your home. To learn more about the most affordable and accessible online therapy platforms, click here.
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