Body Dysmorphic Disorder | Meaning, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Almost all of us have a physical feature we’re not proud of.
For me it’s my stomach. Flat in front, but with slight bulges by the side (love handles).
On some days, I waste precious time in front of the mirror trying to fix Beyonce’s body on mine with my imagination. Other days, I wear a bogus gown or a high-waist trouser to make the bulges invisible or less noticeable.
We all react differently to our (perceived) physical flaws. For some people, the only time it comes to mind is when they catch themselves in front of a mirror. For others, it’s always on their mind. They can’t stop thinking about it.
People who fall under the latter category have what’s called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and that’s what this article is about.
This article discusses what Body Dysmorphic Disorder is, its other health implications, the possible causes of BDD and how to treat it. When you keep reading, you’ll also discover some of your favorite celebrities who have/had BDD.
What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
According to the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK, Body dysmorphic disorder, or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance.
These flaws are often unnoticeable to others.
So, while others may have to strain their eyes to spot a pimple, someone with BDD sees a constellation of pimples.
Having BDD can affect your daily life. This is especially true because people with BDD often seek validation and reassurance by repeatedly checking themselves out in front of a mirror or asking people how they look.
Shirley Manson, lead singer in the pop group Garbage, shared her experience with BDD.
She confessed to Glamour Magazine that most days, she spent hours fussing about her hair and makeup, changing her outfit, and crying for hours in the toilet because she felt ugly.
Causes of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Like many other mental health issues, Body Dysmorphia can be caused by a combination of issues such as:
- Childhood Experience:
Being bullied as a child or adolescent because of your physical appearance can cause BDD.
Let’s take a stroll to Michael Jackson’s and Shirley Manson’s childhood.
Washington Post reports that as a child, Michael Jackson’s father and other boys called MJ, Big Nose. This and other taunts gave him a poor projection of himself. He tried to alter that projection through a series of surgeries as an adult.
For Shirley Manson, it was her red hair. She was often bullied in school for her red hair, and this marked the beginning of her struggle with BDD.
2. Genetics
Being born into a family with a history of BDD can increase one’s chances of having it.
Other factors include:
· Neurobiological factors: such as the malfunctioning of serotonin in the brain
· Environmental factors
· Personality type
Other Health Implications of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
1. Anxiety and Depression
BDD is one of the leading causes of anxiety and depression.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Body Dysmorphic Disorder affects 1.7% to 2.4% of the general population.
This means that in a population of 50 million people, over 1 million people likely have BDD!
No wonder the Cosmetic Industry is worth billions of dollars.
According to Forbes, The cosmetic industry in the USA is about $72 billion and projected to be $390 billion globally by 2024. (You should know that this figure doesn’t cover what Cosmetic Surgeons earn.)
Billions of people are desperate to hide their flaws, and millions will pay anything to.
Where makeup products like concealers and mascara can’t conceal or mask flaws, people resort to cosmetic surgeries.
2. Anorexia
People with BDD caused by a feeling of being over-weight usually starve themselves.
3. Suicide
Body Dysmorphia in extreme cases can lead to thoughts of suicide or even suicide.
Symptoms of BDD
The symptoms of BDD can be categorized under mild, moderate, or severe. This would inform the treatment method to be employed as we’ll see in the next section.
According to Mayo Clinic, the following are symptoms of BDD
· Engaging in behaviors aimed at fixing or hiding the perceived flaws that are difficult to resist or control, such as frequently checking the mirror, grooming or skin picking
· Being extremely preoccupied with a perceived flaw in appearance that to others appears minor or can’t be seen
· Strong belief that you have a defect in your appearance that makes you ugly or deformed
· Belief that others take special notice of your appearance in a negative way or mock you
· Attempting to hide perceived flaws with styling, makeup or clothes
· Frequently seeking reassurance about your appearance from others
· Constantly comparing your appearance with others
· Seeking cosmetic procedures with little satisfaction
· Having perfectionist tendencies
· Avoiding social situations
Treatments for Body Dysmorphic Disorder
According to the NHS, treatment for BDD would depend on the degree of severity or mildness of its symptoms.
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
This is employed when the symptoms are mild.
The goal of this therapy is to help you change the way you think about yourself for good.
To achieve this, you’ll need to learn what triggers your symptoms and with the help of your therapist, you’ll discover how best to manage such situations.
2. Antidepressants
Anxiety and depression are common effects of BDD. So, antidepressants are given to manage them.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant usually administered for BDD. There are different types of SSRIs and the right one will be best prescribed by a doctor.
When the symptoms of BDD are moderate, antidepressants are used.
3. Therapy + Antidepressants
In severe cases, such as when thoughts of suicide are already on the mind, the use of both therapy and antidepressants may be combined.
What You Can Do to Prevent BDD
1. Anything that Makes You Feel Less Beautiful, Cut it Off✂️
I started taking cognizance of my stomach when I started spending a lot of time on Instagram. With every tap and scroll, I would look at my stomach and feel sad about my physique.
I desperately wanted the kind of body lingerie models have- flat stomach with a slim waist to enunciate my hips.
Some days, I wouldn’t eat and when I ate, I ate little. I tucked my stomach in till it was hard to breathe. But it seemed the bulges were increasing by the day.
Looking back now, I better understand Robin Sharma when he says,
What you focus on grows, what you think about expands.
My stomach was growing and expanding. Lol😂😅.
It took uninstalling IG from my phone to begin to appreciate myself.
2. There are So Many Beautiful Things About You, Appreciate Them
And when people compliment you, say, Thank you.
I don’t mean to brag, but I have the best nose on earth one can ask for. Pointed and contoured to fit my oval face. You’ll have to be a makeup maestro to recreate my nose.
I wasn’t conscious of this when I was always looking at my stomach.
Got BDD? You’re Not Alone
A lot of people you admire probably have BDD.
Not everyone is vocal about the discomfort their flaws cause them, so don’t beat yourself about it. Instead, talk to a therapist and seek professional help to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
