Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Aug. 7, 2025 | Most people would tell you that they are not completely happy with their appearance. They’d like to have more hair, or less hair. They’d like to weigh less, or weigh more. Maybe they would like to be taller, or they would like to have a different shaped nose. Accepting how we appear to others and to ourselves can be difficult but for some people, it’s next to impossible. Individuals with a chronic mental illness known as body dysmorphic disorder are obsessed with their appearance to the point that they have numerous cosmetic procedures or exercise excessively to try to repair flaws they see themselves as having. But for the tens of thousands of people in this country who suffer from this disorder, no matter what they do to try to overcome their perceived flaws, they are never satisfied. Concern over the perceived flaw can lead to absences from work, school or social situations due to extreme self-consciousness.

Aug. 7, 2025 | People with body dysmorphic disorder are typically preoccupied with their physical appearance, frequently looking at themselves in the mirror or avoiding mirrors altogether. They believe that they have some abnormality or defect in their appearance that makes them appear ugly and that others are constantly focusing on their perceived flaws. For this reason, people with this mental disorder feel the need to stay home and avoid social situations. They also groom themselves excessively and will grow a beard or wear makeup to cover up their presumed flaws. Men and women with body dysmorphic disorder may obsess over a particular part of their body and their focus on certain features may change as they grow older. The most common obsessions involve the face, hair, skin, the size of their breasts or genitalia and their muscle tone. These obsessions make them reluctant to appear in photos.

Aug. 7, 2025 | There’s no known cause for the illness known as body dysmorphic disorder but experts say that negative life experiences such as teasing at a young age or societal pressure can trigger the condition. Like many other mental health conditions, body dysmorphic disorder may result from a combination of issues, such as a family history of the disorder, negative evaluations or experiences about your body or self-image, and abnormal levels of the brain chemical called serotonin. It can prevent people from having close relationships and make attending school or working difficult. Some patients with this disorder undergo repeated hospitalizations or have suicidal thoughts. It can lead to problems such as substance abuse or eating disorders. Many turn to cosmetic surgery to fix their perceived flaws but either don’t receive the results they desire or begin obsessing about another aspect of their appearance.

Aug. 7, 2025 | According to the American Psychiatric Association, someone who is preoccupied with an imagined defect or minor flaw in their appearance may be suffering from body dysmorphic disorder. If that person is so preoccupied with their appearance that it causes distress in their social life, at school or at work, it’s recommended that they seek treatment with a mental health professional. Cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy can teach someone with the disorder to see themself in a more positive way and to learn how to handle urges like mirror checking or skin picking. Because body dysmorphic disorder is thought to be caused in part by problems related to the brain chemical serotonin, medications called selective serotonin uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are typically prescribed. SSRIs appear to be more effective than other antidepressants for this disorder and may help control obsessions and repetitive behaviors.

Aug. 7, 2025 | Body dysmorphic disorder, a mental illness that causes an individual to obsess about their personal appearance, can be difficult to diagnose as it may be similar to other psychological conditions. It can also be difficult to treat if the patient is not a willing participant in their care. It’s important for the patient to stick to his or her treatment plan, including attending all therapy sessions and taking any prescribed medications as directed. Physical activity and exercise can help manage many symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Physical activity can also counteract the effects of some medications that may cause weight gain. Alcohol and illegal drugs can worsen the symptoms or interact with any medications the patient is on. Writing in a journal may help the patient express any fears they may have. It’s also a good idea to not make important decisions during a period of despair, as these decisions may be regretted later on.