Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder is a condition in which a person has a distorted or greatly exaggerated vision of his own physical defects. What causes body dysmorphic disorder is still subject to debate, but as psychiatrists usually diagnose this disorder based on the behavior of the patient, it can be inferred that there are actually several conditions grouped under one name. Most of the time the patients suffer either from depression, compulsive behavior or anxiety attacks. As science progresses there will be no doubt a deeper understanding on this subject and more effective healing methods will be developed. However at this point the options are rather limited and confusion often occurs due to the many contradicting symptoms associated with body dysmorphic disorder. Why is this condition dangerous? Well, mostly because it won’t allow an individual to properly function in a society and thus he or she will have a less joyful life and in some cases even attempt suicide.

What Are The Symptoms Of Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

As previously said body dysmorphic disorder is usually associated with several behavior patterns. These consists mostly from the person attempting to cover their perceived defect, problems at work or in the social life due to the same reasons, repeated attempts to repair their defect through cosmetic surgery, compulsive behavior towards the respective area (attempting to touch it or hide it all the time) and so on. It isn’t hard to realize that just about anyone has undergone such traumas, at least once in their life. Up to a point this is relatively normal, but when this condition becomes an obsession, steps must be taken. Contrary to popular belief the numbers of people affected are equally divided among the male and female population.

What Can I Do To Get Rid Of Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Genuine body dysmorphic disorder does not simply go away. As a matter of fact, most of the time, the condition worsens over an extended period. This means that you must act. Try to understand that medication is an alternative that can truly make a difference, while there are no over the counter drugs available for this condition it is crucial that you contact a psychologist to see which medication is best suited for you. However the most important tool that you have at your disposal is your mind. When treating body dysmorphic disorder, the most common method used is cognitive behavior therapy. What this method implies is that the actions of a person are far more important than its look. This simple sentence can change your life. What a victim of body dysmorphic disorder must do is realize that the defect is far from outreaching. There is no need to compare with other persons, or feel guilty about their look. There is nothing to be ashamed of. The most important thing is the way you deal, the way you relate and the way you socialize. Make a conscious attempt to not hide your defect and act like it is simply not there. Quite often this is enough to break the cycle, as you will see that other people are not disturbed at all by the way you look. Prevention though works best in defeating the body dysmorphic disorder. In order to confront this condition prior to appearing you must be aware of its signs. It is quite difficult to recognize this condition on your own. Usually obsessive rituals like constant mirror checking, a perceived withdrawal from the social life are the most recognizable early symptoms, but the reaction of those close to you is perhaps the best indication as they can more objectively assess your condition. Seek the help of your family and try to break this condition in its context. It is estimated that the number of people affected by this condition is much higher than the official statistics show. Many of these affected are not even aware of their disorder. This is why recognizing the disease in its early stages is crucially important.

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