Body Dsymorphic Disorder

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Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a relatively common disorder that is categorized with Obsessive Compulsive related disorders. It is defined by the DSM-V as the preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in physical appearance that is observable or appear slight to others (Wolrich, 2011). These individuals focus on things such as their face, hair, skin, breast size, muscle size, and genitalia. A Body Dysmorphic Disorder diagnosis is categorized into two criteria. Criteria A consist of an individual having a preoccupation with one defect or flaw in their physical appearance, which they believe to look ugly, unattractive, abnormal or deformed. Criteria B is comprised of obsessive, repetitive behaviors or mental acts that are performed in response to the preoccupation (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Moreover, the constant worrying related to this disorder causes some impairment to social, and professional aspects in the individual's life. These individuals have irrational thoughts that involve agonizing thoughts about how a certain body part may appear to others, and constant thoughts about their appearance. Checking specific body parts, comparing body parts to others, and camouflaging the defected area are characterized behavior of this disorder. Individuals that suffer from this disorder also tend to stray from social situations due to their fear of being critiqued. The individuals who suffer from this disorder have a lack of understanding of their condition; hence, they don’t comprehend that their way of thinking is distorted. The majority of Body Dysmorphic Disorder sufferers report feeling depressed, anxious, and hopeless due to, their perfectionist tendencies and impossibly high self-standards (Wolrich, 2011).

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