By Nelly 
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is an increasingly recognized mental health condition equally affecting men and women (mostly teens). In fact, experts claim that BDD affects approximately 2.0% of the general population. This is brought about by the intense pressure in today’s society to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. And since it’s related to physical appearance, sometimes Body Dysmorphia is mistaken to be an eating disorder. But in this comprehensive guide, we will understand the difference between the two, causes, and how to overcome this condition.
What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder, often called body Dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person becomes excessively worried about how his body looks. In other words, someone suffering from Dysmorphia will always be preoccupied with perceived flaws or defects in their physical appearance, which are often minor or even unnoticeable to others.
How do I know I have body Dysmorphia (quiz)?
In the long run, this will cause intense emotional distress and negative self-perception, eventually leading to a decrease in quality of life. And this is one of the reasons why Body Dysmorphia is considered more a mental health condition than an eating disorder.
Difference between Body Dysmorphia and eating disorders
The main difference between Body Dysmorphia and eating disorders lies in the focus of the obsession. For instance, a person with Body Dysmorphia is more concerned on how his body looks like. The concern may arise from their appearance of the skin, hair, nose, or facial features. In other words, such concerns are not necessarily related to weight or body size.
On the other hand, a person experience eating disorders such as Anorexia or Bulimia Nervosa is more concerned with body weight, shape, and food. As a result, the patient will develop behaviors like extreme dieting, purging, or over-exercising to control weight.
What causes Body Dysmorphia?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. For instance, genetically, individuals with a family history of mental health disorders are more likely to develop BDD.
Additionally, society pressure such as social media and cultural emphasis on physical appearance, bullying, or traumatic experiences related to appearance, can trigger or worsen body Dysmorphia. On the other hand, low self-esteem, anxiety, or perfectionism, also contribute to the development of BDD.
Is Body Dysmorphia an eating disorder?
No, Body Dysmorphia is not an eating disorder. While both disorders involve body image disturbances, BDD’s focus can extend beyond weight-related concerns, whereas eating disorders are primarily driven by a fear of gaining weight and a desire to control body shape through food and eating behaviors.
However, keep in mind that eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia can also co-occur with BDD. Therefore, both disorders should be diagnosed and the appropriate treatment administered to the patient.
Conclusion
In conclusuion, whether Body Dysmorphia is considered an eating disorder or not, it is still an issue of great concern in our society. Therefore, we recommend that patients seek mental health assistance as soon as possible to curb down the efects of this condition. In case you need more information about other psychological conditions, feel free to check out our recent Mental Health guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patients are likely to develop repetitive behaviors like constantly checking mirrors, grooming, or seeking reassurance, as well as efforts to hide or “fix” the perceived flaws through makeup, clothing, or even cosmetic procedures.
In most cases, factors that may contribute to Body Dysmorphic Disorder include a combination of genetic, environmental, and other similar psychological disorders.