Updated July 21, 2021.

Body positivityis getting more attention in the media these days, and that’s a good thing. Despite this, it’s still not uncommon for anegative body image to impact our lives at one time or another. In general, that’s okay. It’s normal to occasionally fixate on a stubborn zit, a bald spot, or a roll of belly fat.

However, this can become a problem when we start obsessing over a feature we dislike, making it a bigger issue in our mind than it might actually be in reality. Those who experience this fixation, or obsession, may be dealing with what’s known asbody dysmorphic disorder (BDD).BDD is also often linked witheating disorders.If you think you may be suffering from it, knowinghow to deal with body dysmorphia (another name for BDD) means you’ll be able to recognize what this disorder really is, how it can affect your life, and how you can deal with it to begin healing.

What is Body Dysmorphia?

According to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM),body dysmorphic disorder involves a “preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others.”

Aboutone in 50people are affectedwith body dysmorphic disorder, andit occurs at roughly the same rate in both men and women. Body dysmorphia is classified under the same categorization of disorders asobsessive compulsive disorder(OCD), based on the criteria that, likeOCD, those with body dysmorphia often perform repetitive behaviors like “checking” their body, either in the mirror or with their hands. It’s common to obsessively poke, pick, or squeeze the perceived “problem” area. Those with body dysmorphia often expend a lot of mental energy thinking about the part (or parts) of their body they see as defective. Those who are affected with BDD can sometimes also suffer fromgender dysphoria. Though these two are sometimes confused with each other, there is a big difference betweendysphoriavs dysmorphia.

Commonbody dysmorphia symptoms can include:

How Body Dysmorphia Affects Your Life

Body dysmorphia can affect many facets of life. It can become a guiding factor in virtually every situation you face, from school, to work, to home life, and more.Aside from the fact that it’s a mental health disorder that can be completely exhausting, body dysmorphia symptoms can also cause clinically significant distress (not just mental distress), resulting in extreme anxiety in several areas of life.

All of these factors contribute to a reduced quality of life that you don’t have to live with. The best thing you can do if you’re struggling with body dysmorphic disorder is to talk to someone you trust. This can be a family member, a friend, a partner, or a therapist. With help, you can eventually see yourself as the beautiful person everyone else sees.

How to Deal with Body Dysmorphia

If you’re wonderingwhat is body dysmorphia, or if you think you may be experiencing it and want help, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.Online therapyand specializedteen therapyoptions can connect you with a therapist who understands what you’re going through. This easily accessible format means therapy can be available to you when you need it, how you need it, and where you need it. If you feel that a more traditional format of therapy might  work better for you and your personality, you can always seek out a therapist who offers in-person appointments, too.

Therapy and Medication: There are severaltypes of therapythat can be beneficial in treating body dysmorphia. Some therapists suggest a combination of talk therapy – like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – and medication. Medications that have proven effective are in a category known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SRIs/SSRIs are antidepressants that can help treat body dysmorphia symptoms like compulsive behaviors and obsessive thoughts.

Self-Help Tips: There are also a number of self-help tactics you can use to begin healing from body dysmorphia too. Either on your own or in combination with therapy and medication, you may want to try:

Anything that helps you feel healthy and strong can be a positive way for you to move forward on a path to life without body dysmorphia.

Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.

Share0Tweet0Pin it0

Share0

Tweet0

Pin it0