Body image disorder, also known as body dysmorphic disorder, is a disorder that causes some psychological problems, such as obsession, when people have no or very few defects in their bodies, but they magnify this problem within themselves and think that their appearance is bad, and if they experience this situation continuously, it causes some psychological problems such as obsession.
As people reflect these problems in their daily lives, it can cause bad results and negative effects in their work and social relationships. Since this situation has become obsessive, some experts examine it within obsessive-compulsive disorder.
What are the Causes of Body Perception Disorder?
This condition, which is seen as people having perception problems about their bodies, can occur due to problems such as lack of self-esteem, eating problems, obesity, depression, as well as genetic factors. The causes of body perception disorder , also known as body dysmorphic disorder , are as follows:
Genetic Factors
Genetic factors are one of the most effective causes of many psychological problems. The risk of psychological problems is high in people who have this problem or in people who have parents or close relatives with different psychological problems.
Environmental Factors
The fact that the perception of beautiful women or handsome men in society leads to perfectionist attitudes may cause people to be thin, to be obsessed with proportions, to have problems with their appearance since childhood and not to see themselves as beautiful. This is affected by the fact that people's relatives make fun of them and use humiliating words from childhood to adulthood.
Lack of Self-Confidence
Low self-esteem in individuals is one of the problems that cause them not to see themselves as adequate and to obsess about their appearance.
Psychological Problems
The presence of certain psychological problems such as depression, eating problems, obesity, anxiety and anxiety are also effective in the occurrence of this disease.
What are the Symptoms of Body Perception Disorder?
While symptoms may vary from person to person, most people have similar symptoms. The person's obsessive state and reaction to defects may differ in terms of body perception disorder symptoms .
It is a problem that can cause people with the disease to be constantly interested in a part of themselves that they see as a defect and to do this in front of the mirror for up to 10 hours a day.
People are often constantly trying to cover up imperfections in their grooming, make-up, clothes and hair. Their appearance may change frequently.
One of the symptoms seen in individuals with the disorder is that they constantly ask the people around them the same questions about how they look and how the imperfect area looks.
Since these people are obsessed with their appearance, they try not to have a social environment and stay alone. They do not want to go out and meet their friends and they stay at home.
Usually, the flaws that these people see in themselves are not seen as a problem by other people, but these thoughts are not convincing to the person experiencing this condition.
These are small and simple problems that others do not see as flaws. However, the person with the disorder may think that they are being lied to, magnify these problems and close themselves off from the outside world.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
In terms of the diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder, attention is paid to certain behaviors and movements that the person experiences and shows. In these people with eating disorders, weight loss is often the case. Even if the person is below their normal weight, they do not like themselves and constantly try to lose weight. This problem is an important factor in the diagnosis of body image disorder
It is an intense and powerful obsession. People often have problems with their appearance that prevent them from realizing that this is a psychological problem. People who try to improve their appearance turn to plastic surgery, dermatology doctors and dieticians instead of seeking psychological support.
Forthe treatment of body perception disorder , the person should receive psychological support.
Usually, the desired image cannot be achieved and the person may become more obsessed with this situation. Among the examples seen, it is known that some individuals have undergone multiple surgeries instead of psychological treatment and have completely changed physically.
One of the methods used totreat body dysmorphic disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy. In this application, it is worked on correcting the thoughts about the parts of the body that people with the disorder see as defective.
When it is understood that this problem is caused by a different psychological problem, a treatment is applied on that problem. In addition, certain studies are carried out to help the individual regain self-confidence and self-esteem. The duration of the therapies varies depending on the opinion of the psychiatrist and the condition of the disease.
Another method used in the treatment of the disease is medication. Medications that contribute to and support psychotherapy methods are recommended. Antidepressants are usually recommended. People with anxiety problems and suicidal thoughts may be recommended medications that relieve anxiety. When these medications are continued together with psychotherapy practices, recovery is achieved to a great extent.
Another issue that should not be forgotten is the medication. Only medications recommended by a specialist doctor should be used. The person should not use a medication recommended on his/her own or on the recommendation of people around him/her who have experienced this problem before. Since the treatment is determined individually, medications vary depending on the condition of the disease.