Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a chronic psychological condition where the affected person is constantly unhappy with his looks and is excessively concerned about perceived flaws in his physical features.
Symptoms of BDD include:
It is difficult to pinpoint the causes of BDD with certainty. However, the factors that are known to increase the risk of developing BDD are:
Imbalances in Brain:
Brain, being a complex organ of sensations and feelings, experiences imbalances in the hundreds of neurotransmitters that it produces. Such imbalances may occur due to congenital reasons or developmental problems.
Genetic Factors:
Obsessive compulsive disorder and social distress syndrome are known precursors to BDD. These mental illnesses are genetic disorders that are usually passed on in a family with known history of such ailments. One of the features or symptoms of these disorders is BDD.
Environmental Factors:
Negative experiences such as over-exposure to the media from a very young age or victims of teasing and taunting by family and friends can cause a person to develop BDD at a later stage in life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
CBT involves teaching healthy behavior. It aims at making the patient realize his condition and teaches how to use this knowledge for self-help. Self-help and awareness techniques are taught to enable the patient to deal with ritualistic behavior and get out of the vicious cycle.
Medication:
Serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs) are the group of drugs commonly used to treat people suffering from this ailment. These are anti-depressants that prevent absorption of certain neurotransmitters that lead to obsessive behavior.
The combination of medication and therapy can help a patient to break the cycle and improve his self esteem and social adaptability. Rehabilitation centers can be considered for severe cases of Body Dysmorphic Disorder.