Body Dysmorphic Disorder BDD

Body Dysmorphic Disorder - Body Dysmorphic Disorder Treatment and Symptoms

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is the DSM term for a subgroup of the broader but ill-defined clinical syndrome of dysmorphophobia, which was first described by Morselli (1886) as 'a subjective description of ugliness and physical defect which the patient feels is noticeable to others.'

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder defined as a preoccupation with a perceived defect in one's appearance. If a slight defect is present, which others hardly notice, then the concern is regarded as markedly excessive. In order to receive the diagnosis, the preoccupation must cause significant distress or impairment in one's occupational or social functioning.

There is little definitive research on the causes of BDD and the factors that predispose a person to BDD. Much of the work in this area comes from an examination of case studies and the factors that patients relate to the onset of symptoms. In many of these cases, it seems that some event precipitates an initial selective focus on a specific body site.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a somatoform disorder characterized by an imagined defect in appearance or excessive concern or preoccupation with a slight physical defect. The person with body dysmorphic disorder is distressed to the point where social, occupational or academic functioning is disrupted. Patients with the disorder are continually checking their appearance and occupy significant periods of their days examining themselves.

BDD is a hidden disorder and its incidence is unknown. The studies that have been done so far have been either too small or unreliable. The best estimate might be 1% of the population. It may be more common in women than in men in the community although clinic samples tend to have an equal proportion of men and women.

Often the person is a perfectionist, like most people with eating disorders. Nothing is good enough because the person cannot see that what they have done is absolutely fine, or that they are on the border of near death (in the case of anorexia and extreme weight loss). Low self-esteem is a trademark of those with BDD as they feel like colossal failures for their perceived physical flaws.

BDD can lead or take after other psychiatric problems as well. Depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, anxiety issues, agoraphobia, and trichotillomania (hair pulling) are all problems that commonly follow or trigger BDD.

The severity of this disorder varies. Some are able to function and cope with daily life, whereas others experience paralyzing symptoms of depression, anxiety and avoidance of social situations.

Assessment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

The assessment should include questioning about the nature of the preoccupations with appearance and of the ways in which this has interfered with personal and social life. Diagnosis can be difficult because some sufferers keep the nature of their symptoms secret because of their embarrassment and this may result in misdiagnosis as social phobia, panic, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Body dysmorphic disorder treatment strategies

Psychiatric hospitalization, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts are relatively common. While treatment data are preliminary at this time, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) appear to often be effective for BDD, even if symptoms are delusional. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is another promising approach. While much remains to be learned about BDD, it is important that clinicians screen patients for this disorder and accurately diagnose it, as available treatments are very promising for those who suffer from this distressing and sometimes disabling disorder.

Please support this site by sharing this page with others:

  :: :: ::

MOST POPULAR SECTION :

© 2005, www.depression-guide.com. All rights reserved.

Site last updated: March 4, 2008

body disorder dysmorphic, body disorder dysmorphic treatment, body disorder dysmorphic symptom