In some unspecified time in the future, virtually everybody is worried about their look. However there’s a significant distinction between the occasional self-criticism and a psychological well being problem generally known as physique dysmorphia or physique dysmorphic dysfunction (BDD).

To assist shed some mild on what constitutes physique dysmorphia, we spoke with two psychological well being consultants. Right here’s what they needed to say about what’s regular and when to hunt assist.

What Is Physique Dysmorphia?

Physique dysmorphia is a body-image dysfunction that “causes the person to consider actual and perceived flaws for hours on finish,” explains Candice Seti, PsyD, CPT.

An individual combating physique dysmorphia fixates on components of their physique — mostly, the hair, pores and skin, abdomen, or chest, in response to Seti — to the purpose that it interferes with their every day life.

“Typically the failings are minor or insignificant, whereas different instances they’re utterly imagined altogether,” Seti says, including that these faults are very actual for the individual with BDD.

“They’ll repeatedly have a look at themselves or groom themselves to seek out assurance of their look. Some can also go as excessive as getting procedures completed to reinforce their look and rid themselves of the (perceived) flaws,” she provides.

Potential Causes of Physique Dysmorphia

“There’s nobody single trigger of BDD,” says Kristi Beroldi, licensed skilled counselor at Thriveworks in Reston, Virginia. “Nonetheless, people who’ve BDD might have delusions of reference, which signifies that they imagine that individuals take particular observe of them attributable to how they give the impression of being.”

Physique dysmorphia is probably going the results of a posh mixture of each organic and environmental components.

And whereas body-image problems are typically related to younger ladies, BDD might develop in an individual of any age or gender.

Listed here are a number of the potential danger components for BDD:

• Household historical past of BDD or different obsessive-compulsive problems
• Anxiousness or melancholy
• Sure mind abnormalities
• A historical past of bullying or different damaging experiences associated to bodily look
• Cultural or societal strain concerning requirements of magnificence
• Perfectionism
• A common disdain for one’s look

Signs of Physique Dysmorphia

Psychological well being professionals use a wide range of evaluation instruments (a few of which can be utilized by people to find out whether or not or to not search assist) to diagnose BDD, however listed below are some widespread physique dysmorphia signs:

• Spending hours every day centered on one’s look
• Repeatedly performing assuring behaviors, like trying within the mirror
• Extreme grooming, corresponding to making use of make-up or hair brushing
• Choosing at pores and skin
• Continuously evaluating oneself to others
• Repeatedly altering garments
• Excessively tanning
• Excessively exercising
• Avoiding social conditions
• In search of beauty surgical procedures

Briefly, physique dysmorphia may be all-consuming.

“These preoccupations are intrusive, time-consuming, and troublesome to handle,” Beroldi says. “This preoccupation causes elevated misery and decreased functioning in a number of areas of life together with work, faculty, social relationships, and the flexibility to deal with oneself.”

Physique Dysmorphia: Therapy Choices

BDD is a severe psychological well being dysfunction that requires skilled therapy.

“Melancholy and nervousness are widespread traits in these affected by physique dysmorphia. With out therapy, these ideas and options can result in extra extreme self-harm,” Seti says.

A licensed psychological well being skilled can present remedy designed to assist the person “learn to management their ideas and be kinder to themselves,” Seti says.

In some circumstances, prescription treatment can also be applicable.

The best way to assist somebody with physique dysmorphia

If you happen to suspect {that a} good friend could also be combating BDD, you possibly can supply assist by encouraging them to hunt therapy, refraining from making damaging feedback about your individual look (this may be triggering to somebody with BDD), and demonstrating compassion.