Did you know that most people with BDD are not satisfied even after cosmetic or dermatological procedures intended to “fix” the perceived flaw? In fact, surgical or aesthetic treatments often improve BDD symptoms, for many they may actually make the preoccupation worse or cause focus to shift to another body part. Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition where a person becomes preoccupied with their appearance. This causes distress and interfere with day-to -day life. Even after changing something physically, the distorted perception or excessive worry often remains.
Individuals with BDD often possess an obsession with 5-7 parts of their body. The most popular defects attributed by men are height, hair, body proportion and genitals. Females are inclined to complain about their hips, thighs, buttocks, legs, breasts, as well as body weight.
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- Constant seeking or avoidance of reflection in windows, mirrors, spoons
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- Excessive grooming, or attempts to utilize dress to camouflage perceived defect(s)
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- Overemphasis on diet and exercise
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- Nervous tendency to pick at skin imperfections
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- Comparing oneself to others
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- Repeated measuring or touching of perceived defect
Treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)and certain medication such as SSRIs are among the most effective treatments. Treatment must often address both the perceptual distortions and the emotional or compulsive behaviors.
Embrace your body .Our different imperfections are what make us perfect!
