Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

In this blog post, we are going to explore Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). 

We will take a look at the symptoms, the causes, the treatments available, and how you can support a loved one dealing with BDD. 

Please note that some of the content discussed in this blog may be triggering. 

What is BDD? 

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), also known as body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition that generally involves a person spending lots of time worrying about their appearance and flaws. Sadly, the things they worry about usually aren’t noticeable to those around them. The severity of BDD can vary from person to person, daily, but sometimes it can affect a person’s ability to leave the house, or even see others. 

BDD can affect a person of any age or gender but is more common in teenagers and young adults. 

It’s very important to remember that suffering from BDD doesn’t mean you are self-obsessed or vain – it can have a huge impact on your life, and the lives of those around you.  

Symptoms of BDD 

A person with BDD may exhibit the following symptoms: 

• They may worry about a specific area of their body obsessively, an example of this may be that they focus on said area and worry that it is out of proportion, disfigured, lacking symmetry or the wrong colour/texture 
• They may spend a lot of time comparing their looks with others 
• They may look at themselves in mirrors a lot or avoid mirrors altogether 
• They often go to a lot of effort to conceal flaws, an example of this could be that they will spend hours doing their hair or make-up 
• They may also pick at their skin to improve the texture 

Causes of BDD  

Although the causes of BDD are unknown, research suggests that several key factors could mean a person is more likely to experience BDD. 

Here are some examples: 

• Bullying – a traumatic event such as being bullied can develop a negative self-image 
• Abuse – again, the trauma of abuse can cause a person to develop obsessions about their appearance  
• Low self-esteem – this can cause a person to fixate on aspects of their appearance 
• Fear of rejection – worrying about fitting in can cause a person to develop patterns of behaviour such as BDD 
• Comparison of others – messages within the media and on social media about body image can hurt our body image and overall self-esteem 
• Perfectionism – again, apps and filters on social media have created the need to appear perfect which in turn, can cause obsessions about self-image 
• Genetics – some evidence suggests that it is more prevalent in people with a family who also has BDD 
• Depression, anxiety and OCD – it is thought that a person suffering from mental health conditions may be more likely to have BDD 

BDD treatment  

If you believe that you have BDD, you should arrange an appointment with your GP as soon as you can. They will refer you for an assessment where you can access treatment for your BDD. 

We know how hard it can be to admit that you have a problem and need help so we would advise bringing a friend, family or loved one along to your appointment. 

The main treatments for BDD are often a mixture of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and medication (such as antidepressants). The type of antidepressant provided may be a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). They can help ease obsessive thoughts and behaviours. 

People can recover from BDD with the right support and treatment – but it does take time and patience. 

How to support a loved one with BDD 

Witnessing a friend, family member or loved one suffer from BDD can be hard and leave you feeling hopeless. There are ways to offer your help and support. 

It is always beneficial to provide emotional support throughout the process of getting medical help – you can do this by attending appointments with them, helping them remember medication or even encouraging them to seek help in the first instance. 

Two essential things for a person with BDD to focus on are good quality sleep and regular exercise – promoting general wellbeing to your loved one should be a priority as this can help manage the symptoms of BDD.  

Perhaps most importantly, try to be their shoulder to cry on. Often, a person with BDD may struggle to speak their mind, due to embarrassment and although difficult, providing them with the space to talk freely is essential.  

Further Information 

You can read more about the subtle signs and symptoms of eating disorders in our article here. 

For more information on supporting someone with an eating disorder, BEAT, an eating disorder charity, has further advice on their website. 

Other organisations that offer support to individuals and their families and friends include Talk ED and Mind. 

Connect with us on social media, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram. 

References: 

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/body-dysmorphia/  

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/body-dysmorphic-disorder-bdd/about-bdd/    

 Photo by Taylor Smith on Unsplash.