Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder is related to somatoform disorders, and is the disease in which a person is irrationally dissatisfied with some aspect of his or her body. A very prevalent example of this is anorexia nervosa, in which the sufferer, generally a young woman, is dissatisfied with her weight and will diet, purge, and exercise to the point of putting her life in danger. Another example is a person who is addicted to plastic surgery, and who will continue going to a surgeon even after all stated goals have been met to the degree possible.

A diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder is made when the patient is obsessed with that part of his or her body with which they are dissatisfied to the point of the obsession interfering with the patient’s daily life. For instance, a girl who won’t go out with a boy until her hips have trimmed down would fit the classification. The most frequently complained of body parts are hair, nose, skin, eyes, thighs, abdomen, breast size or shape, chest size, lips, chin, scars, height, and teeth. Weight is the most common complaint overall.

Body dysmorphic disorder is hard to treat, largely because the underlying causes are not clearly understood. It may come about as a result of excessive teasing as a child, or it may stem from sexual abuse. Most body dysmorphic disorders begin in adolescence, and are most easily treated at that point. Body dysmorphic disorder is exceedingly dangerous; it can lead to suicidal behavior, self-destructive behavior such as pathological dieting, and social isolation.

Treatment of body dysmorphic disorder begins with proper diagnosis. The main tool used today for body dysmorphic disorder is the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination, a simple pencil/paper test. Once diagnosed, body dysmorphic disorder is treated primarily by modifying behaviors and with some medications like clomipramine. The therapist also teaches the patient how to deal with social situations that may promote anxiety about one’s appearance. Friends and family may be invaluable in body dysmorphic disorder treatment; they can tell the patient that something is wrong to begin with, and can help reinforce behavioral modifications the therapist is making in the patient. At the very least, friends and family of the patient should avoid reinforcing body dysmorphic disorder; never agree with the patient’s view of his or her own body, but don’t disagree with it either. Listening and being patient are the best ways to handle body dysmorphic disorder in another person.

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