Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
He Body Dysmorphic Disorder, formerly known as dysmorphophobiais a disorder related to excessive concern about one’s own body image.
People who suffer from this disorder feel great anxiety and an irrational perception of their own body that ends up causing destructive effects in their lives, and leads them to develop habits that are negative for their well-being, such as looking in the mirror excessively. . These habits have a significant impact on how these people live their daily lives and reduce their self-esteem.
How a person with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BCD) feels
The image we have of ourselves is one of the factors that plays a most important role in our level of well-being. Although it is not something tangible, This self-image linked to our self-esteem can not only make us feel better or worse about who we are.but it also has an impact on the way we behave. If our self-esteem is very low, there will be a greater chance that we will neglect our hygiene, avoid situations of social interaction with unknown people, and present depressive symptoms.
However, if this low self-esteem takes the form of excessive concern about real or imaginary physical details that are perceived as imperfections or defects, what is known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder may appear.
What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
People with BDD They continually suffer because of their physical appearance and, although to a greater or lesser extent almost everyone worries about the image they project and what others will think of them, they take their obsession and concern about their appearance to pathological extremes. It is an obsession that leads us to constantly wonder how we can eliminate certain physical imperfections from our body and, at the same time, makes us fantasize about what our life would be like without that “ballast.”
Concern about physical appearance has become normal taking into account the image culture in which we live immersed. But when that worry becomes too much of a part of our lives and leads us to engage in self-destructive behaviors, then we are talking about a serious problem that must be treated.
In summary, individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder usually think, feel or behave in the following way:
It is often the case that people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder do not seek help, because they are too worried about how people will judge them or whether they will think they are too vain. Therefore, Many of these individuals do not receive treatment until they have been experiencing this pathology for a long time..
Michael Jackson, the most famous case of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
BDD is included within Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, and, therefore, These types of patients develop anxious symptoms and compulsive routines. But of course, what is characteristic of this disorder is the excessive fixation on their own body image, which leads them to look bad in front of the mirror and magnify what they do not like about their body.
We all know the famous case of Michael Jacksonthe artist known worldwide as King of Popwhich was at the top of the music world for more than three decades. No one can dispute his talent as a singer and dancer and his contribution to music, but his continuous exposure to the media and his tough childhood marked his private life. “MJ” was transforming his body after several surgical interventions, and, although there are many speculations, rumors and information regarding what happened inside his mind, it is evident that he was never comfortable with his body.
Signs of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Many wonder how someone who has been, is and will be the inspiration of so many individuals suffered so much during his life. Obviously, few people are going to be exposed from a young age to fame and continuous appearance in the media like Michael Jackson. But although everyone experiences Body Dysmorphic Disorder in their own way, There are a series of signs that characterize this disorder.
Obsessions about one’s own body are so common that these people can spend several hours a day thinking negatively about their physical appearance. Additionally, they tend to focus on a specific area of their body that causes them constant anxiety.
These people usually:
What causes Body Dysmorphic Disorder
It is difficult to determine what exactly causes this disorder. Despite everything, he Research has concluded that there are different causes that cause an individual to end up suffering from this disorder.
The culture of the image
It is evident that image culture and the influence of the mediawhich turns us into objects rather than subjects, exerts a determining influence on how we perceive our own body. We are continually surrounded by magazines and advertisements that send us the message that if we do not have the perfect body we are worthless. The best way to counteract this negative influence is education from an early age so that we value other things in life.
Bullying
People who suffer from BDD may have developed a negative perception of their own image as a result of being bullied during adolescence (although also at earlier or later ages), when the individual is more sensitive about their body appearance. Additionally, teasing from schoolmates can cause this type of disorder.
Low self-esteem
Low self-esteem can be a consequence of BDD but also a cause, which can cause an individual to look worse than they are. For example, you think you have extra kilos.
Fear of being alone
The fear of not having friends or a partner can cause an individual to develop thought patterns that lead to BDD. For example, if a person thinks that thanks to their appearance they can have more friends and be more popular, the extra pressure to achieve this can lead them to suffer from BDD.
Perfectionist people They are very hard on themselves and demand a lot from themselves.. Their obsession with perfection may be focused on their physical appearance, which predisposes them to suffer from BDD.
To know more about perfectionism, you can read our article: “Perfectionistic personality: the disadvantages of perfectionism”
Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
When a person suffers from this disorder, The first thing you should do is accept it and seek help.. It is necessary for the person to talk to their family or close friends so as not to feel alone. The next step is to seek professional help. Surely the first person you contact is your family doctor.
The family doctor can make a first diagnosis, but it is necessary to contact a psychologist specialized in the subject, as it is necessary to reeducate the individual so that they acquire positive behavior patterns and realistic thought patterns.
The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) It is usually the treatment par excellence in this type of disorder, although not all treatments work for everyone. The goal of the cognitive behavioral therapist is to identify the connections between the patient’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior, so that the patient can acquire practical skills to overcome this disorder. Therapy can be group or individual.
In the treatment of BDD, cognitive behavioral therapy will typically focus on the individual’s attitude toward their own body and physical appearance, with the goal of reduce the urge to engage in negative behaviors and help the patient feel less anxious about their own body image. Different cognitive behavioral techniques are usually used: expository techniques, social skills and cognitive restructuring.
To delve deeper into cognitive behavioral therapy, we invite you to read our article: “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: what is it and what principles is it based on?”
