can someone explain BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER?

Question

and does OCD play a part in it? how does it effect everyday life?

Answer 1

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder, which involves a disturbed body image. Body dysmorphic disorder is generally diagnosed of those who are extremely critical of their physique or self image, despite the fact there may be no noticeable disfigurement or defect.

Most people wish they could change or improve some aspect of their physical appearance, but people suffering from BDD, otherwise considered normal, believe that they are so unspeakably hideous that they are unable to interact with others or function normally for fear of ridicule and humiliation at their appearence.

BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects which has linked it to the OCD spectrum disorders among psychologists. People with BDD may engage in compulsive mirror checking behaviors or mirror avoidance, typically think about their appearence for more than one hour a day and in severe cases may drop all social contact and responsibilities as they become homebound. The disorder is linked to an unusually high suicide rate among all mental disorders.

It is estimated that BDD affects 1-2% of the population,[citation needed] mostly teenagers and young adults. The prevalence of BDD is equal in men and women[citation needed].

Diagnoses of BDD
According to the DSM IV the following criteria must be met in order to receive a definite diagnosis for Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

The patient is preoccupied with an imagined defect of appearance or is excessively concerned about a slight physical anomaly.
This preoccupation causes clinically important distress or impairs work, social or personal functioning.
Another mental disorder (such as Anorexia Nervosa) does not better explain the preoccupation.
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Symptoms of BDD
Reflection checking in mirrors, reflective doors and glasses and any other reflective material.
Inability to look at ones own reflection.
Compulsive skin-touching, especially to measure or feel the perceived defect
Reassurance seeking from loved ones.
Social withdrawal and co-existent depression.
Obsessive viewing of certain favourite celebrities or models the person suffering from BDD would like to resemble.
Excessive grooming behaviors: combing hair, plucking eyebows, shaving, etc.
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Common locations of imagined defects
hair
nose
skin
teeth
genitalia
eyes
head/face
overall body build
legs/knees
cheeks
arms/wrists
lips
chin
stomach/waist
breasts/pectoral
buttocks
eyebrows

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Treatments
Typically the psychodynamic approach to therapy does not seem to be effective in battling BDD while in some patients it may even be countereffective.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) coupled with exposure therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of BDD. Low levels or insufficient use of serotonin in the brain has been implicated with the disorder and so SSRI drugs are also commonly and with some success used in the treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

BDD tends to be chronic; as of current information, it does not subside through time and in most patients often becoming worse as the symptoms and concerns of the suffered diversify and social contacts are further deteriorated. As so, treatment is highly recommended as early as possible following the diagnoses.

Answer 2

Body dysmorphic disorder is when a person is so disconnected from the reality of their appearance that their entire physical self-perception is warped. It can often feed into eating disorders, since many people with BDD see themselves as fat when the truth is that they are not. I don't know about any direct correlation with OCD but I do know that eating disorders are often seen as OCD compulsions so I guess if you want to look at it that way, OCD is somewhat connected to BDD.

It affects your everyday life in that you are completely out of touch with the reality of your appearance - you are perpetually unsatisfied with your weight, your hair, your skin, whatever, because you aren't actually seeing the person in the mirror. Like I said, it can lead to extremely destructive behaviors such as eating disorders and of course depression and anxiety.

Hope this helps. Try doing a google search for more specific information

Answer 3

This disorder is when someone imagines that they look in a way that they actually don't. Such as when someone is anorexic. They see themselves as fat when they are actually skin and bones. This can also include people that think they are ugly and want plastic surgery to fix this and then to fix that until they actually become ugly. Some people believe that Michael Jackson suffered from this condition. It's a Psychological condition where the mind does not see reality but distorts it in the persons head.

Answer 4

it is when people sees things wrong with their body that are not defects. And they might concentrate on the perceived defects to such a degree that they avoid getting out much for fear people will see their defects.

That person might also have some similar characteristics that OCD persons have. They might repeat doing things without being able to stop.
There are good medicines, Paxil is one, to treat this disorder.

Answer 5

"BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects which has linked it to the OCD spectrum disorders among psychologists. It is thought to be closely related to Health Anxiety (Hypochondriasis). People with BDD may engage in compulsive mirror checking behaviors or mirror avoidance, typically think about their appearance for more than one hour a day and in severe cases may drop all social contact and responsibilities as they become homebound." "BDD usually develops in adolescence a time when people are generally most sensitive about their appearance. However many sufferers leave it for years before seeking help. When they do seek help through mental health professionals, they often present with other symptoms such as depression, social anxiety, health anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder and do not reveal their real concerns. Many patients can be difficult to convince that they have a distorted view of their body image. An absolute cause of body dysmorphic disorder is unknown. However research shows that a number of factors may be involved and that they can occur in combination, including: A chemical imbalance in the brain. An insufficient level of serotonin, one of the brain's neurotransmitters involved in mood and pain, may contribute to body dysmorphic disorder. Although such an imbalance in the brain is unexplained, it may be hereditary. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. BDD often occurs with OCD, where the patient uncontrollably practices ritual behaviors that may literally take over their life. A history of, or genetic predisposition to, OCD may make you more susceptible to BDD. An eating disorder. BDD may be present with an eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, especially if it involves a weight-related part of the body, such as the waist, hips or thighs. Generalized anxiety disorder. Body dysmorphic disorder may co-exist with generalized anxiety disorder. This condition involves excessive worrying that disrupts the patient's daily life, often causing exaggerated or unrealistic anxiety about life circumstances, such as a perceived flaw or defect in appearance, as in BDD. A history of or genetic predisposition to generalized anxiety disorder may make the patient more susceptible to BDD. Psychological, behavioral or cultural factors. People from families of higher socioeconomic status or strict cultural standards may experience body dysmorphic disorder more often. Someone who feels that he or she must live up to unobtainable or unrealistically high expectations for personal appearance and success may be more prone to BDD."

Answer 6

im not sure about ocd, but anorexia is one of the body dysmophic disorders, it means you do not see in the mirror what others see when they look at you, you either see fat when there is none, scars when there are none, deformaties when there are none, and so on, people who constantly have plastic sugery often are in this category, they never think they look good enough and then they end up looking like michael jackson.

Answer 7

"Starrwood" & "Chevy_truck" both gave a good explanation of BDD so I won't repeat it. OCD can be an element. Consider the explanations again. I think you can see how it affects everyday life.