Body Image Discorder

Relevance of mental disorders-

It's the 21st century, unlike in the 20th there is less physical violence going on, peace is relatively higher, Percentage life expectancy has increased hence Physical standard of living has increased but still, one thing remains constant ... that is Mental disorders we as a race and as an individual face, even though having better treatment and clinical diagnoses still 1 of every 4 Adult is developed country faces mental disorder and rates are even higher in developing and underdeveloped country. Most people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder -- most commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder. 

Comes The Body Image Disorder in the picture...

It is when people who have poor, or negative body image are more vulnerable to developing disordered eating and eating disorders.

Fact -  It can also play a role in how you start thinking and acting when it comes to what you eat and how much you might exercise. So be cautious!!

ThE BoDy DisMorpHiA (yeah this is how a person with body dysmorphia thinks his/her body is)

 

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is when you may be extremely worried or preoccupied about a perceived flaw, or imperfection in your appearance. 

=> It may include one or more facial features or body parts, and it may appear minor, or not even seen by other people.

Disorder friends with BDD = Body Dysmorphia Disorder shares some features with eating disorders and also obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Signs and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder include:

• Being extremely preoccupied with a perceived flaw in appearance that to others can't be seen or appears minor
• 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
• Engaging in behaviors aimed at fixing or hiding the perceived flaw that are difficult to resist or control, such as frequently checking the mirror, grooming or skin picking
• Attempting to hide perceived flaws with styling, makeup or clothes
• Constantly comparing your appearance with others
• Frequently seeking reassurance about your appearance from others
• Having perfectionist tendencies
• Seeking cosmetic procedures with little satisfaction
• Avoiding social situations

How it affects you mentally and physically =>

BDD can consume your thinking and may make you feel 

>Anxious

>Embarrassed

>Ashamed

 >You may start to avoid social situations and public settings.

> BDD can lead to harmful behaviors to fix or change appearance.

A quick quiz for you...

Be honest and keep answers to yourself!

Answer in yes or no.

So are you worried about the following?

• Worry or think a lot about how you look
• Believe that you have a physical abnormality or defect that makes you ugly
• Frequently looking in the mirror, body checking or skin picking or avoiding mirrors
• Excessive grooming and frequent cosmetic procedures, with little to no increased satisfaction
• Wearing excessive make-up or clothing to conceal perceived flaws
• Feeling extremely insecure and self-conscious
• Avoiding social situations and refusing to appear in photographs
• Believing that other people take special notice of your appearance in a negative way
• Negatively comparing your appearance to others

Result = If the general answer was YES... You might be a little in the red area. Try catching up some tea with your local psychologist and have some chit-chats. You might discover something new about yourself (honestly i did, not gonna lie)

Some Body parts that a person with BDD is concerned about =>

• Facial features (such as nose, lips, eyebrows)
• Body hair
• Your skin complexion (such as moles, freckles, acne, and pimples)
• Baldness
• Breast size
• Muscle size
• Your genitalia

Coming to the cause -

First of all, let me address this 

Anyone, literally anyone regardless of age, gender, race, and sexuality can be affected by BDD. There are physical, psychological, and cultural factors that can contribute to its development. Some things may include:

• Genetic pre-disposition to mental illnesses
• Anxiety
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Personality traits such as perfectionism or competitiveness
• Significant life experiences that have caused trauma, such as abuse and bullying.

It's not known specifically what causes body dysmorphic disorder. Like many other mental health conditions, body dysmorphic disorder may result from a combination of issues, such as a family history of the disorder, negative evaluations or experiences about your body or self-image, and abnormal brain function or abnormal levels of the brain chemical called serotonin.

Risk factors

Body dysmorphic disorder typically starts in the early teenage years and it affects both males and females.

Certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering body dysmorphic disorder, including:

• Having blood relatives with body dysmorphic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Negative life experiences, such as childhood teasing, neglect or abuse
• Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism
• Societal pressure or expectations of beauty
• Having another mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression

Complications

Complications that may be caused by or associated with body dysmorphic disorder include, for example:

• Low self-esteem
• Social isolation
• Major depression or other mood disorders
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Eating disorders
• Substance misuse
• Health problems from behaviors such as skin picking
• Physical pain or risk of disfigurement due to repeated surgical interventions

Prevention

There's no known way to prevent body dysmorphic disorder. However, because body dysmorphic disorder often starts in the early teenage years, identifying the disorder early and starting treatment may be of some benefit.

Long-term maintenance treatment also may help prevent a relapse of body dysmorphic disorder symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Shame and embarrassment about your appearance may keep you from seeking treatment for body dysmorphic disorder. But if you have any signs or symptoms, see your health care provider or mental health professional.

Body dysmorphic disorder usually doesn't get better on its own. If left untreated, it may get worse over time, leading to anxiety, extensive medical bills, severe depression, and even suicidal thoughts and behavior.

So - 

Take Care of Yourself, You are unique in the way you are, Stay safe, Be proud of yourself