Body Dysmorphic Disorder - Research Paper Example

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Overview of the disease: BDD is a sort of illness in which an individual gets preoccupied with real or imaginary, minor flaws in the physique pertaining to hair, nose and skin. “BDD is a mental health problem related to body image, in which an individual has a preoccupation with one or more perceived or slight defects in his or her appearance” (Cymru, 2011). The patient of BDD opts for cosmetic surgery, but the surgery does little to satisfy the patient and the patient’s curiosity is not lessened a bit.

Both men and women are equally susceptible to BDD. The disease occupies an individual during adolescence or early adulthood, and generally remains with the patient for up to 17 years after it has been acquired (Sterndale, n.d.). Symptoms of BDD: A person suffering from BDD feels negative about his/her skin, nose and hair. He/she pays more than necessary attention to the scarring, acne, marks, wrinkles, excessive or scanty hair, and the shape and size of the nose. The symptoms are evident in the patient’s over-consciousness.

Apparently the patient seems quite normal. It is his/her worries regarding the skin, nose and hair that make him/her a patient. The patient feels stress about the assumed flaw and he/she pays a lot of attention towards it. The patient frequently checks his/her appearance in the mirror to pick out imperfections and to compare with others. The patient is very interested in knowing people’s opinion about his/her looks and cosmetic surgery is an obvious choice to fix the imperfections notified or noticed.

In a vast majority of cases, patients of BDD feel worse after the surgery. If they seldom are, they tend to look out for new defects in the body. A patient of BDD may treat the surgeon violently for ruining his/her appearance. Treatment of BDD: Medicines commonly prescribed are antidepressants and Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (Medicinenet.com, 2011). These medicines serve to lessen the compulsive and obsessive attitude of the patient. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a suitable way to relieve the complex of patients of BDD.

This therapy comprises numerous steps. In the therapy, the patient is convinced to make appearance in the public without hiding the defect. The therapist identifies and prohibits the patient from displaying compulsive behavior with respect to the defect. The therapist removes mirrors from the patient’s room, uncovers the skin areas that appear problematic and prohibits the use of make-up. The false behavior of patient is targeted and corrected. There is generally no way to prevent BDD. This is basically a psychological disorder and can be treated only after an individual has acquired it.

Patients of BDD are as normal as other people. Hence, one can not decide that the patient needs counseling until the obsession shows up. The parents or siblings of patient should seek help of a psychologist and the patient should be given cognitive behavioral therapy or medicines as suitable. The earlier the disease is treated, the more of life the patient can enjoy. References: Cymru, M. (2011). Body dysmorphic disorder. Retrieved from http://www.mind.org.uk/help/diagnoses_and_conditions/body_dysmorphic_disorder.

MedicineNet.com (2011). Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/body_dysmorphic_disorder/article.htm. Sterndale, M. (n.d.). Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.hypnos.co.uk/hypnomag/sterndale.htm.