Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Posted by Lori Henry Nov 18, 2006

Because of the seemingly easy option to change parts of your body that you don’t like, disorders such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder are on the rise. This disorder is an obsession with outer appearance, to the detriment of their social, academic and/or daily occurrences.

"Patients have a distorted image of themselves and of their body. Their preoccupation with a non-existent or slight defect in appearance causes them significant distress and impaired social, personal and academic functioning.

"The face- particularly, moles, freckles, acne, shape of the nose, excessive facial hair or facial asymmetries- is the most common focus of these anxieties, as also are the skin and hair,” explains Dr. Monica Chib, a Psychiatrist at Indraprastha Apoll Hospital in New Delhi.

”BDD is believed to be related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. For instance, a person could be preoccupied about the shape of his/her nose or weight. The whole world could reassure them, all to no avail. Many times, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are also the result of this."

What can start out as a simple preoccupation with looks can turn into Body Dysmorphic Disorder and even into a full blown eating disorder.

Dr. Chib continues, "To a certain extent, BDD is a fallout of low self-esteem. It is also a reflection of loss of control in some part of the patient's life. He or she usually requires counselling and, in severe cases, might require medication as well.”