76 • happiful • May 2019
B
ody dysmorphic disorder
(BDD) is a mental health
condition where an
individual experiences
intense anxiety about
their appearance. More than just a
concern about the way they look,
BDD can cause someone to become
very distressed about their image and
their perceived ‘flaws’, to the point
where it prevents them from living a
normal life.
As with so many mental health
conditions, there is a lot of stigma and
many misconceptions surrounding
BDD. Here, with the help of the Body
Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation, we
take a closer look at what it means to
have BDD.The disorder
comes from
a deep and
distressing
anxiety rather
than vanity
WHEN DOES BEING
SELF-CONSCIOUS
BECOME BDD?
Feeling self-conscious about the
way we look is something we can
all relate to – particularly during
puberty. But BDD is very different;
it’s a mental health condition that
greatly restricts a person’s life.
People may feel they can’t leave the
house, or may go to extremes to
alter the way that they look. Though
research is limited, it’s believed that
BDD could be genetic, or originate
in trauma such as childhood
bullying or abuse.
“Most people with BDD are
incredibly anxious and fearful that
their appearance will shock or repel
others,” Kitty Wallace, a trustee of the
BDD Foundation, explains. “They
may feel that their appearance will be
an embarrassment or a let down to
their family and friends. The disorder
comes from a deep and distressing
anxiety rather than vanity.”WHO DOES IT AFFECT?
The short answer is anyone at any
point in their life. That said, BDD
usually begins in late adolescence –
although the BDD Foundation notes
that it can take up to 15 years before
a person seeks help from a mental
health professional.
While the area of concentration will
depend entirely on the individual,
the BDD Foundation identifies some
of the most common complaints as
the skin, nose, hair, eyes, genitals,
breasts, and overall body build.What is body
dysmorphic disorder?
HELP IS OUT THERE
The good news is there are a lot of
options for treating BDD. More
severe cases can be treated with
SSRIs – a type of antidepressant- while others may find cognitive
behavioural therapy helpful.
Often, there is a lot of comfort to
be found in coming together to talk
about a problem that we share with
others, and so the BDD Foundation
host several support groups around
the country – as well as online groups
over Skype, where people have the
option to use their camera or not.
A WAY FORWARD
For the thousands of people in
the UK who live with BDD, the
condition can be debilitating. But the
good news is help is out there.
For the BDD Foundation,
awareness is at the heart of what
they do. And it is their hope that
by continuing this education and
conversation about the disorder,
together, we can end the stigma that
prevents people from seeking the
help that they need.A
closer
look
WHAT ARE THE
SYMPTOMS OF BDD?
According to the NHS, the
following may be symptoms:- Obsessive worrying about a
specific area of your body - Spending a lot of time
comparing your looks to
others’ - Looking in the mirror
excessively, or avoiding
mirrors altogether - Going to a lot of effort to
conceal ‘flaws’, such as with
clothing choices or make-up - Skin picking to make it
‘smoother’