Body Dysmorphia: What Does That Mean?

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Body Dysmorphia What Does That Mean?

• rosewoodranch.com

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• Weve all found ourselves preoccupied with
  feeling self-conscious about our appearance from
  time to time. Maybe you think your smile is
  crooked, your nose too big or your skin has too
  many flaws. Hopefully these are just passing
  thoughts and nothing more than a nuisance.

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• But there are people who think about their
  imperfections for hours on end each day. These
  pervasive thoughts interfere with their daily
  lives and cause serious emotional distress.
• Body dysmorphic disorder, or body dysmorphia, is
  a serious mental illness characterized by a
  persistent preoccupation with an imagined defect
  in ones physical appearance. 

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Slide Title

• According to the American Psychiatric
  Association, body dysmorphic disorder often
  begins in adolescence around 12-13 years of age
  and occurs in 2.5 percent of males and 2.2
  percent of females.

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The International OCD Foundation reported that
the disorder affects roughly 1 in 50 people, or 5
to 7.5 million people in the Unites States. The
causes are not clear, but evidence shows that a
genetic predisposition, chemical imbalances in
the brain and life experiences may all play a
part in the development of the disease.
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The Facts About Body Dysmorphia
Body dysmorphia has created a bit of a buzz in
the media lately when Kim Kardashian West
recently made statements on her show Keeping Up
With the Kardashians that she could have
developed the disorder. You take pictures and
people just body shame you, she said. Its like
literally giving me body dysmorphia, she
commented. Although damaging, negative comments
about someones appearance alone does not cause
body dysmorphia. And the disorder should not be
mistaken for someone who feels upset about their
appearance from time to time. How can you tell
the difference? To avoid throwing the term around
loosely, it is important to understand the facts.
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Symptoms Of Body Dysmorphia

• People with body dysmorphic disorder may
• Have frequent and obsessive thoughts about their
  appearance for more than an hour a day.
• Spend a lot of time looking at their flaws in the
  mirror, or in some cases avoid mirrors
  altogether.
• Often try to cover up the problem area with hair,
  clothing or makeup.
• Look for constant reassurance, asking others how
  they look repeatedly.

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Symptoms Of Body Dysmorphia

• Have difficulty getting on with day-to day life
  and have problems at work, school and may avoid
  social situations altogether.
• Suffer from feelings of shame, anxiety,
  depression, low self-esteem and in extreme cases
  have thoughts of suicide.
• Make frequent appointments with cosmetic surgeons
  or seek surgeries to correct their flaws.
• Compulsively pick at their skin and face.

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If you recognize the signs and symptoms of body
dysmorphia in yourself or a loved one make sure
to ask for help.  Treatment may include a
combination of cognitive therapy and medications
such as anti-depressants to get the symptoms
under control. 
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We all experience those moments when we wish we
could change our appearance, but when these
thoughts take over your life, its a serious
mental health disorder that requires professional
help.