Help for body dysmorphic disorder and other complex issues

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is obsessing about perceived defects about one’s appearance or body parts. These perceived flaws are unable to be seen by others.  Consequently, those that experience BDD, often feel anxious, distressed, ashamed and embarrassed by their appearance or body and engage in behaviours that significantly impact their daily functioning. Ultimately this creates a limiting lifestyle as often a large amount of time is spent body checking, looking into reflective surfaces, measuring parts, picking skin and comparing self to others. Further, the ongoing body and appearance preoccupation exacerbates the distress experienced by the person and this can lead to avoiding social situations, isolation, depression, low self esteem and increase in OCD behaviours.

What BDD is not.

Body dysmorphia is not about being vain or being self-obsessed. There is an enormous amount of distress, humiliation and fear experienced by those that identify with BDD. Often they are seeking reassurance as away to reduce their fears and cope with daily living. Those that experience BDD are needing you to approach them with compassion and give them the reassurance and support required.

What Causes BDD?

A combination of genetics, environmental and biological factors are a likely cause of BDD.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of BDD?

The signs and symptoms can very for each person and can often start from early teen age years.

• Preoccupation with one or more parts of your body. Judging body parts as too big or too small, seeing body parts as asymmetrical, wrong shape or colour. These symptoms can be so minor that they are not noticeable to others.
• Belief that you are defective from the perceived flaw.
• Belief that others are taking notice of your perceived flaw
• Spending excessive amount of time worrying about the perceived flaws and either body checking, looking in mirrors and reflective surfaces.
• Covering your appearance with make up or hiding your body with baggy clothing.
• Feeling anxious, ashamed and embarrassed about your appearance and body.
• Engaging in behaviours that are aimed at fixing the flaws and only experiencing temporary relief or not achieving satisfaction from the cosmetic procedure and therefore always on the search for change.
• Comparing self to others.
• Avoiding social situations and isolating.
• Frequently needing reassurance from others and not believing them.
• Secretly engaging in compulsions and obsessions

BDD vs OCD

Both BDD and OCD are anxiety disorders and share similarities and differences. Some similarities are time consuming behaviours, intrusive and unwanted thoughts that are distressing and often are uncontrollable. Other similarities that are apparent are that they engage in repetitive compulsive behaviours. However, the only difference is that with BDD the focus is only on appearance and body unlike OCD it can include many other areas of life such as death of a loved one, contamination .etc. In addition, other comorbidities with BDD are social anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

BDD Vs Eating disorders

The similarities between BDD and eating disorders is the high preoccupation and distressed experienced regarding their bodies. However, those with BDD specifically focus and are worried with only a particular body part whereas those who experience an eating disorder are anxious with their body image.

What is the treatment options for BDD?

The aim of treatment is to reduce the distress experienced regarding appearance and body concerns and to improve quality of daily living and overall functioning. This can be achieved  through therapy and medication.  Research indicates that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is helpful in reducing the symptoms of BDD. Other therapies are available such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Self Compassion Therapy.