When thoughts, feelings, moods, and the ability to relate to others disrupt a person’s ability to function in daily life, it is time to get help. If you need mental health services, give Saber Psychiatry a call at 615.678.7839.
- Board Certified
- Concierge care
- Conservative medication management
- Sleep disorders: studies/assessments and treatment
- Call us at 615.678.7839 to make an appointment
You wouldn’t ignore muscle pain if it interfered with daily functioning, and you shouldn’t ignore emotional pain either. Our staff at Saber Psychiatry provides care for individuals and families. Call us at 615.678.7839 to arrange an appointment with an assessment and treatment plan.
Spotlight on Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Body dysmorphic disorder (also called “body dysmorphia”) is surprisingly misunderstood for being so common. The National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that BDD may affect as much as 2.2% of men in the United States and 2.5% of women. This prevalence exceeds that for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; it is about the same prevalence as a generalized anxiety disorder.
BDD decreases in middle adulthood (around 44 years).
The biggest myth about BDD is that people who have BDD don’t know what they look like. The problem is that people who have BDD magnify the importance of (perceived) flaws.
The reason we stress that people perceive themselves correctly (while intensely overestimating the problem with that appearance) is that people who present with eating disorders often get by for years with severe calorie restrictions; friends and family assume that people who talk about how thin they cannot have a disorder.
Signs of BDD including showing several of the following:
- Frequently checking appearance in the mirror OR avoiding mirrors
- Trying to hide body parts under hats, scarves, loose clothing, or makeup (note: hiding is not the same as dressing to look one’s best)
- Excessive exercise or grooming
- Frequent comparing self to others Not many people are as thin as I am” or — disturbingly — I think I need cosmetic surgery before anyone would love me”)
- Not believing compliments
- Avoiding social activities
- Refusing to leave the house, especially in the daytime
- Picking at one’s skin with tweezers or fingers
- Seeing multiple healthcare professionals about appearance
- Repeated cosmetic surgeries
- Anxiety or depression about appearance
- Suicidal thoughts because of appearance
Diagnostic criteria include:
- Abnormally concerned (see above) about a minor body flaw or difference (spending some time getting ready for an outing is normal; spending several hours every day worrying appearance is disruptive)
- Thoughts about appearance interfere with daily functioning
- The above can’t be ruled out by other mental health disorders
- May co-occur with:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Depression
- Social anxiety
- Eating disorders
If you or a family member is plagued by BDD, call Saber Psychiatry at 615.678.7839.