Could I Have Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

With cosmetic enhancements becoming more widely accepted in today’s culture, it’s only natural for more people to want them. Just like the rest of America, in Atlanta, cosmetic surgery is certainly no longer just for the rich and famous.  And in a society that values beauty and youth, more and more people decide to utilize a plastic surgeon’s talents. Can cosmetic enhancement ever become too much of a good thing?

In fact, yes, it can, for those who have one procedure after another, but are never satisfied with the way they look. Those folks may have a psychological condition called “Body Dysmorphic Disorder” in which the affected person is excessively preoccupied by a perceived defect in his or her physical features. Similar to individuals suffering from a disorder like bulimia, who never see themselves as thin enough, those with BDD never see themselves as physically “perfect” enough.

Of course, it’s common for us to be critical of ourselves, especially when it comes to appearance. Simply thinking someone’s breasts are better than yours doesn’t mean you suffer from BDD. Patients who come to our Atlanta plastic surgery office for a breast augmentation, and later on (or even at the same time) they decide to have a liposuction procedure doesn’t mean they have BDD. Maybe they just have a few things on a list that they’d like to change about themselves. So, how can you tell when you, or someone you care about, might have a problem with Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Here are some symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder:

• Preoccupation with physical appearance, ie, beyond that of most other people.
• Strong belief that they have an abnormality or defect in their appearance that makes them ugly. One wrinkle can turn them into a tailspin. 
• Frequent examination in the mirror or, conversely, avoidance of mirrors altogether. 
• Belief that others view their appearance in a negative way.
• Constantly seeking reassurance about their appearance from others.
• Frequent cosmetic procedures but little satisfaction with the results.
• Unusual body habits, such as hair plucking, picking at their skin, etc.
• Extreme self-consciousness.
• Refusal to appear in pictures.
• Always comparing their appearance with that of others. 
• Avoidance of social situations.
• The need to wear excessive makeup or clothing to camouflage perceived flaws.
• Obsessing over specific parts of their body, such as breasts, abdomen, and/or face.

OK now, don’t get worked up if a few of these apply to you. In fact, several of these are fairly natural and occur in almost everyone to a degree. The warning lights should go off, however, when these minor symptoms occur so frequently and they are combined with other unusual behaviors such as refusing to appear in pictures or frequent cosmetic surgery without satisfaction. When that happens, it could be time to talk to a professional. Through therapy, those with BDD can learn to view both their inner and outer beauty in its fullest.

Do you ever worry that you, or someone you care about, might have Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Carmen Kavali