Risk Factors of Body Dysmorphic Disorder 

Explain body dysmorphic disorder.

People who have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have a mental health issue.  If you have BDD, you might feel so upset about your body image that it becomes difficult for you to live a normal life.  Many of us see things in our looks that we think are flaws.  But if you have BDD, this perceived "flaw" may cause you to feel excessively emotional.

You might find it difficult to stop having negative thoughts about your body.  You might even worry about how you look for hours every day.  You might contemplate committing suicide sometimes because your thoughts are unbearable and won't go away.

Why does body dysmorphic disorder happen?

Body dysmorphic disorder is thought to be caused by a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.  Bullying or teasing can instill feelings of self-doubt, shame, and fear of ridicule.

What makes you more likely to have a body dysmorphic disorder?

It's unknown what causes BDD.  Usually, it starts when you are a teenager or in your teenage years.  It is thought that one out of every hundred people has BDD.  It affects men and women equally.  Some things that may lead to BDD are:

•  A history of BDD or a similar mental illness in your family
•  Not enough of certain chemicals in the brain
•  Type of person
•  Experiences in life

 How do you know if someone has body dysmorphic disorder?

Any part of your body can make you crazy.  Face, hair, skin, chest, and stomach are the most common places.

 These are some signs of BDD:

•  Looking at yourself in the mirror all the time
•  Not using mirrors
•  Putting on a hat, scarf, or makeup to hide a part of your body
•  Regularly working out or grooming
•  comparing yourself to others all the time
•  Requesting others to check your appearance all the time
•  Not being sure when people say you look good

 Not doing social things

•  Staying inside, especially during the day
•  Seeing a lot of doctors about your looks
•  Getting facial surgery that isn't needed
•  Using tweezers or your fingers to pick at your skin
•  Being worried, sad, and embarrassed
•  Planning to kill yourself

 How is the diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder made?

Someone who works in mental health will tell you if you have BDD based on your symptoms and how much they affect your life.

 If you think you might have BDD:

•  You must worry too much about a small or nonexistent flaw on your body.
•  Your thoughts about your flaw must be so bad that they get in the way of your normal life.
•  You must rule out other mental illnesses as possible causes of your symptoms.
•  A lot of people who have BDD also have other mental illnesses.  Some of them are depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and eating problems.

 What can be done to help with a body dysmorphic disorder?

 Your healthcare professional will decide how to treat your BDD based on the following factors:

•  How big the problem is
•  What's your age, health, and medical background?
•  Your ability to handle certain drugs, procedures, or treatments
•  Plans for how the problem is likely to progress
•  What the doctors and nurses who are taking care of you think
•  What do you think and what do you want

Medicines or talk therapy may help people with BDD.  A mix of the two is probably the best way to treat it.  The most helpful talk treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).  Together with a mental health worker, you work on changing negative thoughts and thought patterns into positive ones in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).  Usually, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are antidepressants, work best for BDD.

What steps can be taken to prevent body dysmorphic disorder?

Catching BDD early is the best way to keep it from getting worse.  Bipolar disorder gets worse as people age.  Removing a flaw on the body through plastic surgery rarely works.  If your child or teen is overly concerned about their appearance and needs constant reassurance, consult a doctor.  If you think you might have BDD, talk to your doctor or a mental health expert. 

 Living with a disorder that changes how you look

Following your doctor's instructions is crucial when treating your BDD.  For people with BDD, treatment can last for a long time.

Also, read https://welldoing.org/therapy/body-dysmorphic-disorder.

 What time should I call my doctor?

 Talk to your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if you notice any new ones.

 Important things to know about body dysmorphic disorder

 A mental illness is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).  You might worry so much about how your body looks if you have BDD that it gets in the way of your daily life.

•  You might go to great lengths, like having multiple plastic surgeries, to fix the flaw you see.
•  Therapy and medicines are used to help with worry and pain as part of treatment.
•  People avoid going out in public and spend time alone because they are afraid of being judged.
•  If you don't treat BDD, it can lead to major depression and suicidal thoughts, so you shouldn't ignore it.

 Next actions

•  These tips will help you get the most out of your visit to the doctor or nurse:

 Prior to your visit, know why you are there and what you wish to happen.

•  Please jot down any questions you would like answered before you leave.
•  These notes can help you remember what your provider says and allow you to ask questions.
•  Write down the name of any new tests, medicines, or treatments you receive at the visit.  Additionally, write down any new directions your healthcare provider gives you.

 Find out why your doctor is giving you a new drug or treatment and how it will help you.  Furthermore, be aware of the negative impacts.

•  Check to see if there are other ways to treat your illness.
•  Learn why a test or treatment is suggested and what it might mean if it's done.
•  If you choose not to take the medication or undergo the test or treatment, please be aware of what to expect.
•  Write down the date, time, and reason for any follow-up appointments you have.
•  Know how to get in touch with your service if you need help.

Conclusion

People often don't understand how Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) affects a person's thoughts, feelings, actions, and interactions.  Early diagnosis and specialized treatment—especially CBT and SSRIs—can significantly reduce symptoms. Lifestyle changes, social support, and media awareness play vital roles in recovery and prevention.