Having reliance on one’s appearance can boost your confidence and overall, wellbeing. Everyone is concerned about their physical appearances to some extent but someone with a body dysmorphic disorder, things can seem too much. So, what is body dysmorphic disorder and how can you treat it? Let’s discuss down below.

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD is a mental health sickness in which a person starts seeking flaws and defects in one’s own appearance and stays uncomfortable by the looks and keep worrying about them. It is also noticed that these flaws are often imperceptible to others but one’s own self.

This disorder can capture a victim at any age but this is most common in teenagers and young people in both men and women.

Suffering from BDD does not mean that one is in self-obsession but it causes a long-lasting impact on one’s lifestyle being popped-up in the head like 24 hours.

How to find a Body Dysmorphic Disorder Therapist

If you are looking to find the perfect Body Dysmorphic Disorder therapist it is crucial to make sure that they have the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience. At Expat Therapy 4U we only accept therapists who have full professional proficiency in English and are highly experienced in working with people from culturally diverse backgrounds. The clinicians we approve share our values and commitment to provide high quality therapy to the expatriate community in the private sector across Europe and online worldwide. We strongly believe that therapy changes lives, and being accredited ensures all our therapists are qualified to a high standard. You can find a Body Dysmorphic Disorder therapist who is insured to practice and accredited with a recognised membership body online here.

Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

One might be suffering from BDD if he shows the following symptoms:

• Being worried a lot about a certain portion of the body.
• Spending a lot of time thinking about flaws in appearances.
• Sidestepping looking into the mirror.
• Keep comparing one’s own self to other’s physique.
• Strongly being certain that others will mock on one’s appearance.
• Having strong urges to make one’s looks perfect.
• Using cosmetic products to have picture-perfect guises.
• Dodging societal gatherings so no other may judge their appearances.
• Recurrently looking into a mirror to see any improvements.
• Having comportment at setting or concealing apparent defects.
• Changing dresses many times a day to see if it makes them look more beautiful.
• Doing exercises more often to make perfect body shapes even they are already-fit and handsome.
• Looking for having plastic surgeries to look more flawless and attractive.
• Spending a lot of time in washing face with face washes and skin picking.
• Repetitively looking up with medical consultants and dermatologists to improve facial looks.

The sufferer of Body Dysmorphic Disorder usually concentrates on making the visible parts of the body look seamless as well as some private parts too since the covered parts also contribute to making a physique look more attractive and stimulating. The most expected topographies of the body that people tend to improve are:

• Countenance; such as Color complexion, Nose, Eye, Lips, Crinkles, Spots, etc.
• Hair; like appearance, thin hair, and hairlessness.
• Skin Crust and Skin complexion
• Breast Dimensions
• Body muscle size and quality
• Genitals
• Hips

Males are usually found with the obsession of being not enough muscular (Muscle Dysmorphia) or having a physique too small to satisfy them.

BDD might seem harmless and normal in this era but a person who takes it seriously may be led to severe consequences like long-term depression, insomnia due to overthinking, and the thoughts of suicide as well.

Factors that cause Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

BDD is caused by many factors but the exact ones are unknown. Some studies suggest that irregularities of brains, family histories, adverse assessments, and under-goings are also associated with the BDD. People who once make their false mindsets about physical appearances and flaws in their physiques have high risks of facing BDD.

Following are the risky features that trigger the body dysmorphic disorder:

Genetics

People who have a family history that comprises of people who were/are suffering from BDD, Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder (OCD), or nervousness; may have strong odds of facing BDD in their lives.

Surroundings

Having people around who disparage one’s looks may play a great role in initiating BDD in that person. These experiences specifically cause a huge impact on setting one’s mind negatively about himself.

Environmental Pressure

Social stress and hopes of beauties also create discomfort. A person with low self-confidence may fall prey to BDD in a real quick if for once he is criticized for his airs.

Post Traumatic Involvement

A lad or lass is most likely to undergo BDD if he or she is bullied in childhood for presences. Their undesirable understandings such as childhood torments, abandonment, and physical abuse may also lead them to suffer BDD.

Mental Health Condition

People with low mental health or suffering from mental sicknesses such as depression and anxiety, and abnormalities of their brain can also become a victim of body dysmorphic disorder. Any imbalance of chemicals in their brain may put them up with BDD.

Recommended Treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Since body dysmorphic disorder is inducted in the early years of teenagers, so as soon as this mental illness is identified in a sufferer, the more it is beneficial for the patient. Following preventive dealings can be very helpful for the recovery of a patient who is facing BDD:

Medication

There is no standard medication that is approved to help in advancing the treatment for BDD but some “Antidepressants” and “Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)” might help in lessening the depression, controlling negative thoughts and harmful behaviour which ultimately help in reducing the spell of BDD.

Hospitalization

It is also noticed that sometimes, negative thoughts due to BDD can direct a person’s mind to harm his own self and he can commit some severe actions like attempting suicide. In these states of affairs, one should be hospitalized to get a proper watch, proper treatment, and decent cooperative staff.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Therapy is the most successful treatment for Mental illnesses including Bode Dysmorphic Disorder. CBT’s topmost motives regarding BDD are to:

• Assist a sufferer to acquire how to govern negative thoughts and emotional responses.
• Make them believe that they are already beautiful in their own way and there is no need to alter the skin or physique.
• Teach them how to expand psychological wellbeing and joining social get-togethers.
• Let them realize what their untrue thoughts are and how to replace them with the righteous ones.
• Help the sufferer choosing a circle who, in actual, appreciate him for what he is and to be who he is.

Find a Body Dysmorphic Disorder Therapist through the Expat Therapy 4U platform

Body dysmorphic disorder can have serious effects on the quality of your life. If you have the symptoms and this condition seems to have gotten in your way of living a peaceful life, then you should consult a mental health professional immediately. You will gain back your confidence and get back to living a normal life.

Further Readings on Body Dysmorphic Disorder

https://theinternationalpsychologyclinic.com/problems/body-dysmorphic-disorder-counselling-london/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-dysmorphia/