User:Petermgrund/sandbox/Body dysmorphic disorder
Mental disorder / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder characterized by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws or defects in one's physical appearance, which are often unnoticeable or minor to others.[2] When an actual visible difference exists, its importance is disproportionately magnified in the mind of the individual. This preoccupation can lead to significant emotional distress and interfere with daily functioning. Individuals with BDD may spend hours fixated on what they consider to be deformities or blemishes, leading to severe self-consciousness, anxiety, and avoidance of social situations. BDD is distinct from normal concerns about appearance, as it involves excessive self-scrutiny and often results in extreme dissatisfaction, regardless of any reassurance from others.
Body dysmorphic disorder | |
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Other names |
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A cartoon of a patient with body dysmorphia looking in a mirror, seeing a distorted image of himself | |
Specialty | Psychiatry, clinical psychology |
Complications | Self-harm, suicide |
Usual onset | Adolescence and young adulthood |
Differential diagnosis | Gender dysphoria, Eating disorders, OCD |
Treatment | CBT, medication |
Medication | SSRIs, atypical antipsychotics |
Frequency | 0.7–2.4%[1] |
In addition to thinking about it, those with BDD typically check and compare the perceived flaw repetitively and can adopt unusual routines to avoid social contact that exposes it. Fearing the stigma of vanity, they usually hide this preoccupation. Many seek dermatological treatment or cosmetic surgery, which typically does not resolve the distress. Those experiencing BDD tend to have very high rates of suicidal ideation, described by 57.8% of patients. Around 2.6% of patients attempt suicide each year, making BDD one of the most lethal mental health conditions.
BDD is estimated to affect between 0.7% to 2.4% of the total population.[1] The disorder is equally common in men and women, although milder forms of BDD may be more common in women.[3] It typically emerges in adolescence, a critical period for developing self-image. Research indicates that among individuals with BDD, it is most common to be preoccupied with 5-7 body parts over the course of a lifetime.[4][5] It is believed that BDD is under-diagnosed.
Although BDD's exact causes are unclear, it's believed to result from a combination of genetic, neurobiological, environmental, and psychological factors. BDD as classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is placed within the obsessive–compulsive spectrum. This categorization underscores the disorder's characteristic features that align with obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Individuals' beliefs about their appearance can vary widely. This spectrum ranges from good intuition, where the person acknowledges the possibility of being mistaken about their perceived flaws, to extreme cases where they hold delusional beliefs about ugliness. These delusions are marked by a strong conviction that one looks unattractive or deformed, despite evidence to the contrary.