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Body Dysmorphic Disorder: How to prevent imagined ugliness?

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a mental disorder where people believe they look “ugly” and “deformed”, despite that not being the case. It is a dangerous psychosocial condition that requires cognitive behavioural therapy to cure.

Ashima Sharda Mahindra

Updated Jul 9, 2022, 14:22 IST

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a mental disorder where people believe they look “ugly” and “deformed”, despite that not being the case

New Delhi: Of the lesser-known yet very common mental disorders are Body Dysmorphic Disorder BDD, which occurs with severe intensity across the world. People suffering from the disorder hate their physical features, like “too big” nose, “scarred” skin, or “crooked chin” when in reality their features are completely normal.

If you are suffering from BDD, you may overly focus on one or more body parts of your body and bodily features:

Face -- nose, complexion, acne
Hair – hair fall, thinning, and baldness
Skin and vein appearance
Breast size
Muscle size
Genitalia

In many severe cases, the concerns become so deep that people stop socialising, going to work, and sometimes even committing suicide.

If not treated well in time this imaginary defect can cause other mental health issues like anorexia nervosa, as well. It affects the quality of life, making the individual self-conscious and underconfident.

Serious symptoms of BDD include:

Always occupied with the physical flaw features
Calling yourself ugly and deformed all the time
Trying to hide from others' thinking they take notice of your appearance in a negative way
Checking the mirror all the time
Wearing too much make-up to hide the “flaw”
Constant comparison with others’ features
Avoiding socialising
Making excuses to not meet people
Depression and anxiety
Panic attacks
Suicidal thoughts
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa
Substance abuse
Physical pain or risk of disfigurement due to repeated surgical interventions

Treatments

The only way to treat BDD is to see a mental health specialist who would make you undergo cognitive behavioral therapy using many of its features. BDD cannot be prevented and in this era of social media and filters, there is a lot of pressure on young people to always look good. It is under social pressure from peers that adolescents can get BDD but with time, the condition only worsens.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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