Signs of Body Dysmorphia

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), also known as body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition.

It’s not uncommon for most people to be bothered by something they see in their physical appearance, but this disorder takes it to another level. A person who suffers from body dysmorphia may spend hours obsessing over real or imagined flaws that may otherwise be momentary thoughts to someone else. Being able to recognize the signs of body dysmorphia can equip you to help someone else get the treatment they need to recover and sustain a healthy lifestyle.

What Is Body Dysmorphia?

Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder, is a mental disorder characterized by obsessively thinking about a real or imagined flaw in your physical appearance. A flaw that may be hardly noticeable to anyone else may be exaggerated in the mind of a person with body dysmorphia. They may feel very anxious about their appearance and may go to extreme measures to ensure they’re happy with how they look before going out somewhere. However, these flaws are often imagined, making it difficult for an individual to accept their physical appearance and lead to other mental health issues. Like other mental disorders, body dysmorphia can be extremely debilitating and prevent a person from living out a normal life.

At Banyan Mental Health, we offer a variety of mental health treatment methods in Boca that can help someone struggling with a mental disorder like body dysmorphia get the care they need to recover. Our treatment plans are created with the patients’ needs in mind and are focused on helping them meet their unique goals.

What Are the Early Signs Of Body Dysmorphia?

In the early stages of body dysmorphia, a person may exhibit certain behavioral symptoms. An individual with this mental illness may perceive themselves as “ugly” or obsess over their existing or perceived “flaws” for days at a time. As their condition worsens, the signs of BDD may become more apparent.

Some common signs and symptoms of body dysmorphia include:

• Missing work or school because they don’t want to be seen by others
• Isolating themselves from friends and family
• Having multiple procedures to change their appearance
• Self-harm
• Severe emotional distress when discussing their physical appearance
• Constantly obsessing over their physical appearance
• Wearing or purchasing various products to change their physical appearance

Body dysmorphia can affect individuals of any age and gender. The early signs of body dysmorphia usually begin during the teen years or early adulthood and may continue to progress without treatment. Coping with body dysmorphia may be more difficult for a person as they age and experience physical changes like whitening of the hair and wrinkling.

As a mental health facility in Boca, we know that body dysmorphic disorder is often related to other mental illnesses like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. If you recognize the signs of body dysmorphia in yourself or someone else, do not wait to get help. Call us now at 888-280-4763 to learn more about the mental health programs we offer.