What It’s Like to Suffer Daily With Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychological disorder that is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) under the new category called obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, BDD is “characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight defect in one’s appearance.” In America, an estimated 5 million to 10 million people have body dysmorphic disorder, which is equal to nearly one in fifty people. BDD typically begins during adolescence and most commonly presents in children around age twelve to thirteen years old. Someone with BDD perceives a nonexistent or slight imperfection as a significant and prominent physical flaw, which can cause emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning.

Symptoms

Every person is unique and a teen suffering from body dysmorphic disorder has the propensity to experience a range of symptoms. BDD stems from and can cause, an array of emotional, physical, and psychological issues that can interfere with a young person’s ability to function optimally in his or her daily life. The daily suffering that results from a young person struggling with body dysmorphic disorder can manifest as engaging in overcompensating behavior modifications, such as any of the following examples:

• Avoiding mirrors
• Prohibiting pictures to be taken
• Repeatedly engaging in grooming activities (e.g., combing hair, shaving, etc.)
• Wearing excessive makeup or growing a beard to cover up the flaw
• Wearing certain types of clothing (e.g., hats, scarves, etc.) to cover up the flaw
• Overexercising
• Constantly changing clothes
• Looking for external validation and reassurance by repeatedly asking others for their opinion regarding one’s appearance, but not believing them when they say anything positive 
• Compulsively skin picking, using fingernails or tweezer to remove unwanted hair or blemishes
• Silently enduring emotional problems (e.g., depression, feelings of disgust, low self-esteem, anxiety, etc.)

Body dysmorphic disorder can compel people to neglect daily obligations (e.g., miss school), avoid social situations, and self-isolate from loved ones, because of a deep-seated fear that others will notice their flaws. In essence, BDD prohibits a teen from controlling their negative thoughts and causes a teen to perseverate on their real or perceived flaws constantly. 

For Information and Support 

Every family in need of mental health treatment must select a program that will best suit the needs of their family. When one member of a family struggles, it impacts everyone in the family unit. To maximize the benefits of treatment we work closely with the entire family to ensure that everyone is receiving the support they need through these difficult times.

Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know needs mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person’s life, in the long term. Pursuing support at the beginning of one’s journey can put the individual in the best position to learn how to manage themselves in a healthy way so they can go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.

OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE ADMISSIONS TEAM CAN BE REACHED 24/7 AT INFO@PACIFICRTC.COM OR CALL: 800-531-5769

We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding mental health treatment and our residential program, anytime. Contact us today using the form to the right.