Saying things like “I know exactly how you feel” or trying to compare their symptoms with something you've felt before comes across as dismissive and makes it seem like you don't care. Do not make the conversation about yourself.
Certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering body dysmorphic disorder, including: Having blood relatives with body dysmorphic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Negative life experiences, such as childhood teasing, neglect or abuse. Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism.
Don't counter with compliments like “you're so skinny,” “I'd kill to look like you,” or “but you're so gorgeous!” ― this will only minimize their concerns and demean how they feel, and that's the opposite of what you want to be doing.
Most people with BDD don't get a diagnosis until 10 to 15 years after the symptoms become serious enough to meet the criteria for diagnosis. That's partly because they don't realize the thoughts and feelings they experience are signs of a mental health condition or because they're ashamed or afraid to ask for help.
People with body dysmorphic disorders often check themselves in mirrors because they believe they have physical flaws. (CNN) -- Some people check their appearance in any mirror, window or computer screen they can find, but not out of vanity.
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. These flaws are often unnoticeable to others. People of any age can have BDD, but it's most common in teenagers and young adults. It affects both men and women.
Qualitative studies of BDD experience have shown that interpersonal difficulties are central among the phenomena experienced. Some studies have suggested that BDD is likely to lead individuals not to form partner relationships.
The disorder affects around 1 in 50 Australians, but is difficult to diagnose because people often don't think what they see is a delusion - they believe they're genuinely disproportioned.
Abuse or bullying. Going through traumatic experiences such as abuse or bullying can cause you to develop a negative self-image, which can lead you to have obsessions about your appearance.
Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have been postulated to have schizoid, narcissistic, and obsessional personality traits and to be sensitive, introverted, perfectionistic, and insecure.
If left untreated or unaddressed, Body Dysmorphic Disorder can lead to serious consequences, including suicidal ideations and attempts, increased anxiety and depression, and eating disorders. Body dysmorphic disorder can cause a severe impairment in overall quality of life, making daily activities difficult.
Individuals with BDD can receive an additional diagnosis of delusional disorder—somatic type, if their preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance is held with a delusional intensity. Approximately 50% of patients with BDD meet the criteria in DSM-IV for a delusional disorder, somatic type.
Individuals with BDD will focus on their appearance, but this does not mean that they are self-obsessed. Individuals with BDD suffer from a serious mental illness that influences the way that they view themselves. BDD causes individuals to feel ashamed of their appearance, rather than love it.
Anorexia nervosa – BDD is often misdiagnosed as anorexia nervosa because of the preoccupation with appearance. However, anorexia nervosa is characterised by the drive to control one's weight. It's possible for a person to have anorexia nervosa and BDD at the same time.
The causes of BDD are unclear, but certain biological and environmental factors may contribute to its development, including genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors such as malfunctioning of serotonin in the brain, personality traits, and life experiences (e.g. child maltreatment, sexual trauma, peer-abuse).
Those with body dysmorphia have a distorted view of how they look, while those with gender dysphoria suffer no distortion. They have feelings of anxiety and depression, as they truly know who they are on the inside, despite this not fitting with their biological sex.
Both men and women – about 40% of people with BDD are men, and about 60% are women. People of almost any age (from age 4-5 up into old age): BDD most often begins around age 12 or 13. Two-thirds of people with BDD experience onset of the disorder before age 18.
BDD appears to be relatively common. Epidemiologic studies have reported a point prevalence of 0.7% to 2.4% in the general population. These studies suggest that BDD is more common than disorders such as schizophrenia or anorexia nervosa.
Symptoms of BDD typically begin during adolescence, most commonly by 12-13 years old. [1] If a child or teen obsesses about their appearance, is overly critical of perceived minor flaws and experiences severe distress as a result, they might be showing signs of body dysmorphic disorder.