We have all experienced negative thought patterns regarding some parts of our bodies or our bodies as a whole in general. On such days, we feel insecure about our appearance and would like to change it. And it’s totally normal to have these days where you’re not thrilled by the image of yourself you see in the mirror. What is not normal is to have a compulsive obsession with a person’s appearance, persistent negative thoughts about your own body, and beliefs that there are certain flaws within you that need to be fixed. If you find yourself going through these situations, you may have a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder known as body composition dysmorphia (BDD).
Body dysmorphia is one of the most misunderstood and hardly discussed mental health issues in the public sphere. This is because, in a world filled with selfie culture and millions of products to make yourself look better, a person’s concerns and issues regarding their appearance are often ignored.
To spread much-needed awareness of these issues, let’s delve deeper into what is a body imbalance, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
What is body deformation?
Body dysmorphia is an obsession with a perceived defect in one’s body that is not present or barely noticeable to others. However, these defects make the affected individual feel unattractive, disfigured, or ugly. These obsessions can concern any part of the body, although the focus is mainly on the skin, hair, or face. These thoughts drive the person to ritualistic behavioral and mental actions such as constantly looking in the mirror or trying to hide a specific body part, and in extreme cases, even plastic surgeries.
according to American Anxiety and Depression Association (ADAA)Body mutilation affects 2.4% of adults in the country. Now that you know what a body dysmorphia is, let’s understand the symptoms of the condition according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-V (DSM-V).
Read more: The difference between obsessive-compulsive disorder and ADHD.
symptoms
Common symptoms of body dysmorphia include:
- excessive focus on appearance,
- Negative self-talk such as telling yourself that you are “ugly, disfigured, or unattractive”
- negative thoughts about your hair, skin, face, or other parts of your body,
- constantly lose yourself in the mirror,
- asks for reassurances about your appearance,
- constant comparisons with other people,
- abstaining from social activities and, in extreme cases, not leaving your home, and
- Undergoing cosmetic treatments and never being satisfied with the results.
the reasons
Researchers and mental health professionals aren’t sure of the exact causes of body dysmorphia. Like other mental health issues, the cause of the disorder can be linked to certain genes and adverse life experiences such as bullying, severe teasing, abuse, or neglect.
People with body dysmorphia tend to process what they see in people differently. So they can end up analyzing and analyzing people’s actions. This can lead to negative thoughts and eventually manifest in the symptoms of BDD.
Treatment options
The primary treatment options for body dysmorphic disorder are cognitive-behavioral therapy aimed at restructuring negative thought patterns and antidepressant medication. The ultimate goal of treatment is:
- Reducing and ultimately eliminating negative thoughts and obsessions,
- Enhanced trigger recognition, and
- Improved management of stress associated with symptoms.
Read more: Best online therapy platforms.
conclusion:
Body dysmorphia is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder that causes a person to obsess over their physical appearance and try to fix a non-existent or barely visible physical defect. Although there are no known ways to prevent BDD, with proper help, one can learn how to reduce the impact of the disorder on their life. This is why talking about your problems and seeking appropriate help are the keys to an effective recovery.
Now that you know what body dysmorphia is, let’s take you a step further. Did you know that there are seven other types of obsessive-compulsive disorder? To read more about it, click here.
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