Body Dysmorphia: Understanding Its Impact and How to Cope
When you look in the mirror, you can't help but notice what you consider to be your flaws. It's almost as if looking in the mirror and scanning your body from head to toe, nitpicking every inch has become somewhat of a ritual.
You critique and criticize every part of yourself. From your hair to your skin, to your muscles, legs, and butt. You stop at every spot and nitpick it. You're constantly checking, comparing, and asking others for reassurance. These are all signs of a mental health disorder known as body dysmorphia.
Let's learn more about the impact of body dysmorphia and how to cope.
What Is Body Dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphia disorder or BDD is a mental health condition where someone may become upset or troubled by their own personal appearance. This disorder differs from normal worries about flaws in our appearance, like if your hair is oily or if a zit pops up on your forehead. The feelings that body dysmorphia causes can overwhelm someone and impact how a person will live their day-to-day life.
The Cause
There isn't one specific cause or factor of body dysmorphia. It is believed to be caused by a variety of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Here are some of the most common risk factors for a person developing body dysmorphia:
Abnormal brain chemicals
Family history
Negative life experiences
Personality
Societal pressures
The Signs and Symptoms
Most of the signs and symptoms of body dysmorphia relate to an obsession with a person's own body. The most common areas that a person can fixate on are their face, chest, skin, hair, and stomach. Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of body dysmorphia:
Asking for reassurance
Avoiding mirrors
Checking and rechecking appearance in the mirror
Depression
Excessive exercise or grooming
Feelings of shame
Hiding under baggy clothing
Not believing compliments
Seeking medical advice on one's appearance
Suicidal ideation
Withdrawing from social activities
Complications from Body Dysmorphia
The longer that body dysmorphia is left untreated, the worse the signs and symptoms can become. Living with body dysmorphia can actually lead to other mental health conditions as well. These are some complications that can be associated with or even caused by body dysmorphia:
Anxiety
Eating disorders
Low self-esteem
Mood disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Health issues
Physical aches and pains
Social isolation
Substance use
Suicidal thoughts
How to Cope
Body dysmorphia is a treatable condition. There are even lifestyle changes that you can make as an at-home treatment plan. Here are some ways that you can cope if you're struggling with body dysmorphia.
Educate Yourself
Taking the time to learn more about body dysmorphia can help you learn more about the disorder so that you can be prepped and ready to spot any warning signs. Learning about it can also help you find the motivation to overcome it.
Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of yourself can help you start to feel better from the inside out. This means fueling your body properly with a healthy and well-balanced diet, aiming for at least eight hours of sleep each night, and finding ways to move your body each and every day. When you fuel your body properly, you will feel happier and more energized. You'll also see improvements in other areas of your life, like your skin and overall mood.
Seek Additional Support
While there are relaxation and stress management techniques that you can implement, there isn't a replacement for seeking additional support from a licensed and trained mental health professional. If you're interested in exploring more about how eating disorder therapy can help with body dysmorphia, reach out today to set up an initial consultation.