Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) – Distorted Body Perceptions
A form of anxiety disorder, Body dysmorphic disorder – also known as Body Dysmorphia – is an extreme type of body image dissatisfaction. People with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) worry that their body is fat, their skin is ugly, their hair is thinning, their nose is too big, or something else is wrong with the physical appearance of their body. They can focus on this imagined body flaw for an hour or more each day. When others tell them they look fine or that the flaw isn’t noticeable, people with BDD don’t listen.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder – Treatment
Medication combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy is the primary treatment method for body dysmorphic disorder. Medication can significantly relieve BDD symptoms and improve functioning. The medication does not cure the disorder, but it makes the patient more amenable to therapy and receiving ongoing treatment. Cognitive approaches include helping the person with BDD develop a more realistic view of their appearance.