Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental illness that has affected about 1% of the population. It concerns body image and is a misconception of how an individual sees him/herself. It seems to be a growing issue, as it is usually paired with depression or anxiety, and these rates continue to increase.
Sufferers of BDD see their self-image entirely differently than how it appears to the surrounding public. This normally leads to numerous arguments with family and friends about appearance.
The word about BDD began to increase when MTV’s True Life “I Hate my Face”
Two women were convinced that they were so ugly, that they shouldn’t be seen and should stay home. These two women have struggled with Body Dysmorphic Disorder their entire lives and cannot escape their illnesses.
BDD is a growing illness that is increasingly affecting young women. It is important that we recognize the warning signs and look for them in ourselves and in our friends.
What to look for:
- Imagined or defective image of themselves
- Obsessively disliking and worrying over one part of their body, most commonly hair, skin, nose, chest, or stomach
- Develops most commonly in teenagers and surprisingly affects men and women at the same rate
The Symptoms:
- Obsessions about appearance for hours a day, or could consistently occur
- Nearly impossible to control or refrain from
- Low self-esteem, social anxieties, reluctance to go to work or school
- Thoughts of suicide
- May have compulsive behaviors in order to try to hide their “flaws”
It is important that we are aware of these symptoms and understand who they can affect and how seriously they can affect those who are very close to us. It is time that the public begins to recognize BDD and that many are finally properly diagnosed.
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