Body dysmorphic disorder who is affected

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Skip to main content. Mental illness. Home Mental illness. Body dysmorphic disorder BDD. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What is body dysmorphic disorder? Areas of concern with BDD Common areas of concern for people with BDD include: facial skin face, including the size or shape of the eyes, nose, ears and lips size or shape of virtually any body part, including buttocks, thighs, abdomen, legs, breasts and genitals overall size and shape of the body symmetry of the body or particular body parts.

Treatment for BDD BDD is not always easy to treat but the treatments that seem to help the most include a combination of: cognitive behaviour therapy CBT — training in how to change underlying attitudes in order to think and feel in different ways. For example, the person may learn relaxation techniques and how to combat hyperventilation medication — including antidepressant medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health disorder in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Body dysmorphic disorder. American Psychiatric Association; Accessed April 11, Sadock BJ, et al. Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

Wolters Kluwer; Body dysmorphic disorder. Merck Manual Professional Version. Krebs G, et al. Recent advances in understanding and managing body dysmorphic disorder. Evidence Based Mental Health. Phillips KA, et al. Pharmacotherapy relapse prevention in body dysmorphic disorder: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

American Journal of Psychiatry. Long-term outcomes of cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescent body dysmorphic disorder. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes body dysmorphic disorder? What are the risk factors for body dysmorphic disorder? Factors that may contribute to BDD include: A family history of BDD or a similar mental disorder Abnormal levels of brain chemicals Personality type Life experiences What are the symptoms for body dysmorphic disorder?

Symptoms of BDD include: Constantly checking yourself in the mirror Avoiding mirrors Trying to hide your body part under a hat, scarf, or makeup Constantly exercising or grooming Constantly comparing yourself with others Always asking other people whether you look OK Not believing other people when they say you look fine Avoiding social activities Not going out of the house, especially in the daytime Seeing many healthcare providers about your appearance Having unnecessary plastic surgeries Picking at your skin with fingers or tweezers Feeling anxious, depressed, and ashamed Thinking of suicide How is body dysmorphic disorder diagnosed?

To be diagnosed with BDD: You must be abnormally concerned about a small or nonexistent body flaw Your thoughts about your body flaw must be severe enough that they interfere with your ability to live normally Other mental health disorders must be ruled out as a cause of your symptoms There are other mental health disorders that are common in people with BDD.

How is body dysmorphic disorder treated? Specific treatment for BDD will be determined by your healthcare provider based on the following: The extent of the problem Your age, overall health, and medical history Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, or therapies Expectations for the course of the disorder The opinion of the healthcare providers involved in your care Your opinion and preference Treatment for BDD may include talk therapy or medicines.

What can I do to prevent body dysmorphic disorder? When should I call my healthcare provider? If your symptoms get worse or you experience new symptoms, tell your healthcare provider. Key points about body dysmorphic disorder Body dysmorphic disorder BDD is a mental health disorder.

If you have BDD, you may be so worried about the way your body looks that it interferes with your ability to function normally. You may take extreme measures such as repeated cosmetic surgical procedures to correct the perceived flaw.

Treatment involves counseling and medicines to help with feelings of discomfort and anxiety. The fear of being judged creates avoidance of going into public and social isolation. Left untreated, BDD can lead to severe depression and suicidal thoughts and should not be ignored. Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen. Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.