Body Dysmorhpic Disorder is a condition whereby a person is preoccupied with a physical defect that either doesn’t exist or exists in a very minor form but is exaggerated by the individual. Common flaws are usually those of the face or head such as complexion flaws, thinning hair, blemishes, scars etc. It may also take the form of believing that the shape of a body part is abnormal. The person usually experiences tremendous anxiety and distress over their flaw(s). This can be very debilitating depending on the person’s reaction to their perceived problem and what actions they take to correct it. For example, a person who believes they have an abnormally shaped nose may have several plastic surgeries to correct the shape of their nose. This is not to say that the desire to have plastic surgery to enhance your looks is mentally abnormal, but a person with body dysmorphic disorder may not be satisfied after the first surgery and may have repetitive surgeries to the point that their nose ends up looking deformed.
Psychiatrists don’t often see these patients because they believe their defect is real and may visit multiple surgeons, dermatologists, dentists, etc. They may feel tormented by their problem and have little control over thinking about it. They may spend hours a day agonizing over their defect. Some people can become very isolated because they do not want others to have to view their flaw or feel mocked by those who don’t support their preoccupation.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder usually begins in adolescence, but can start in childhood. It is a chronic condition that may wax and wane in intensity, but tends to be present in some form over the course of a person’s life. Surgical interventions can actually worsen the disorder as the individual may find new body parts to focus on, or may end up with drastic alterations (such as the nose example) that make them more dissatisfied.
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