Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a condition in which an individual has an extreme anxiety about physical flaws which may be minor for others. It can cause emotional distress to the extent that someone starts avoiding relationships and social situations. Disorder is among the most understudied, under-recognized, and underreported ones and affects health and social functioning of person. It is essential to advocate for awareness in the community about BDD.
Disorder should be taken seriously, and it has different effects among patients. Adolescents and young women suffer most from this disorder because of society's beauty pressures that cause them to spend thousands of dollars on relevant products and spas. When anyone suffering from BDD has suicidal thoughts, prompt action should be taken. At home and social support helps to relieve oneself from the concerns of extra weight gained after pregnancy and focus on life pleasures.
Often teenagers feel terrible about going out with peers to avoid comparison with others. Comparing your appearance with others, having someone who constantly criticizes you in life, may interfere with daily activities. Debates surrounding issues of beauty often cause people to become over-conscious of their looks. Places, people who cause critical thinking and negative evaluation of your personality characteristics, such as skin, hair or face, should be avoided. To BDD sufferers, making personal relationships and social interactions can be difficult.
Instead of criticizing women with BDD as self-obsessed, they should accept their feelings, because it is difficult to cope with them. It is difficult to admit that recognition of these feelings is highly important and serves as a cure, finding someone willing to listen and approachable to requesting assistance. Exposing patients to their anxiety helps in many ways, and it can be made routine for patients to look at themselves and go to public places without feeling uncomfortable or anxious with their appearances. Many people struggle with this condition because of lack of therapy-based access and evidence-based care.
