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  • Essay / The Psychological Impact of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

    Table of ContentsEpidemiologyOnset and Gender DifferencesSymptomsCauses and Risk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentConclusionReferences:Body dysmorphic disorder is a psychological condition in which a person is unable to stop thinking about their own deformities or presumed physical deficits. -appearance — an imperfection that, to others, is either invisible or not perceptible. Regardless, one may feel so self-conscious and nervous that one may maintain a measured distance from many social circumstances. There is a serious exaggeration of the importance of a defect if it is real. (Bjornsson, Didie & Phillips, 2010). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Body dysmorphia is a serious and disabling disorder that is characterized by a presumed physical defect that results in significant impairments in daily functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). When a person suffers from this condition, they remain highly obsessed with their appearance and are self-conscious, they may constantly and frequently stare at any reflective surface, preparing themselves or seeking comfort, from time to time for a long period of time each day . Your apparent defect and repeated practices are causing you severe pain and affecting your ability to work on a daily basis. Our idea of ​​this condition is constantly evolving. One might perceive that their beliefs about their apparent flaws might not be valid, or accept that they are most likely valid, or be completely persuaded that they are valid. The severity of BDD can wax and wane and flare-ups tend to result in absences from school, work or socializing, sometimes leading to prolonged social isolation, with some remaining homebound for long periods of time (Bjornsson, Didie and Phillips , 2010). Social impairment is generally the greatest, sometimes approaching avoidance behavior towards all social activities (Phillips, 2004). A lack of concentration and motivation impairs academic and professional performance (Phillips, 2004).EpidemiologyBody dysmorphia appears to be a rather common condition. Epidemiological studies have established a point frequency of 0.7% to 2.4% in the general population (Faravelli et al., 1997; Koran, Abujaoude, Large & Serpe, 2008; Otto, Wilhelm, Cohen & Harlow , 2001; Rief, Buhlmann, Wilhelm, Borkenhagen and Brahler, 2006). Research also indicates that the American Psychiatric Association states that BDD is more common than other mental illnesses like schizophrenia or anorexia nervosa. BDD shares characteristics with obsessive-compulsive disorder (Fornaro, Gabrielli, Albano et al. 2009), but involves more depression and social avoidance. BDD is often associated with social anxiety disorder (Fang & Hofmann, 2010). Some people have the illusion that others secretly point out their faults. Cognitive testing and neuroimaging suggest both a bias toward detailed visual analysis and a tendency toward emotional hyper-arousal (Buchanan, Rossell, & Castle, 2011). Onset and Gender Differences Body dysmorphia usually begins in early adolescence and influences both men and women. . A fixation that the body structure is excessively small or not strong enough only occurs in men. The usual time of onset of BDD is usually between 12 and 17 years of age. Research shows that the onset of this dysmorphia could be linked to bullying or mistreatment during childhood.youth or before adulthood. Men and women do not fundamentally differ much in terms of body dysmorphia symptoms. The body area of ​​interest can be almost any area, but is typically the face, hair, stomach, thighs, or hips (Phillips, 2004). Although it has been observed that women are necessarily concerned about their buttocks and weight, choosing their skin and covering with cosmetic products, and suffer from comorbid bulimia nervosa. Men were inevitably distracted by body construction, genitals and hair loss, used a cap to cover themselves, and abused substances or addiction. However, it has been studied that women are three times more likely to develop body dysmorphia. than men (Boroughs, Krawczyk and Thompson, 2010). Symptoms Extraordinary reluctance towards physical appearance, constant searching or examining for the supposed defect, frequent checking for defective part(s) in mirrors and different shiny surfaces, frequent touching, scratching, judging or looking at the perceived defect (Cororve & Gleaves, 2001; Bjornsson, Didie & Phillips, 2010) Regardless of work, social activities, family, individual well-being and prosperity, and various parts of life due to distractions from imperfections, social withdrawal and anxiety, moving away from mirrors as much as possible and throwing them out of the house, constantly thinking about hiding the imperfection, for example through wigs, dressing up or putting on makeup, dying of hunger or actually eating less (Phillips, 2004). Excessive visits to a dermatologist or restorative specialist to try to get rid of deformities. Spend a few hours a day thinking about the defect. Seek validation from others and feel disappointed when they fail to spot imperfection. Successive “selfie” captures: a method of seeking self-acceptance. Causes and Risk Factors Certain specific factors appear to increase the risk of developing or initiating symptoms of body dysmorphia, such as: Blood relatives who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (American Psychiatric Association , 2013). Traumatic life experiences, such as being teased as a child, neglected, abused, or experiencing sexual trauma (Buhlmann, Marques, & Wilhelm, 2012). Particular characteristic attributes, the main example being a tendency to exhibit perfectionistic behaviors. One of the biggest risk factors as well as a probable cause of BDD could be the pressure that society puts on an individual regarding unrealistic beauty standards. that the media describe. Suffering from other psychological disorders such as anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, depression, suicidal tendencies (Kenny, Knott, & Cox, 2012), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance abuse (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) . , peer pressure, or being teased also facilitate symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (NHS, 2014). DiagnosisDiagnosing body dysmorphic disorder can be difficult because people with this condition often hide their symptoms due to shame and embarrassment. However, a thorough evaluation by a mental health professional is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic criteria for BDD include: Preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or defects in physical appearance that are not observable or appear minor to others. Repetitive behaviors or mental acts in response to appearance concerns (e.g., checking in the./