Did you know that body dysmorphic disorder is still an underfunded, researched and recognised psychiatric disorder that can impact an individual’s life and their ability to function socially?
Signs and symptoms of BDD
It may be difficult to detect if you or someone
you know is impacted by body dysmorphic disorder, but the following are
symptoms you can look out for.
1) Constantly looking in the mirror.
2) Playing with or brushing hair repetitively.
3) Checking their skin for bumps and then picking it in an attempt to make it
smoother.
4) Making comments about the way they look compared to images of models and
celebrities.
5) Spending considerable time speaking about their own perceived flaws and
their overall appearance.
When you suspect someone is struggling with any or a combination of these
symptoms, try talking to them, explain about body dysmorphic disorder and
encourage them to seek help.
The positive impact of plastic surgery on BDD
Thankfully, education about this psychiatric disorder is encouraging individuals suffering to come forward, without the fear of disparagement and being misunderstood. Plastic surgeons are helping to lead further research into this debilitating disorder and the impact of plastic surgery procedures.
Individual’s right to choose
Whichever study you choose to read, research is still contradictory as to whether individuals diagnosed with BDD should have plastic surgery procedures. What about an individual’s right to choose?
A study on narcissistic and histrionic personality disorders and body dysmorphic disorder identified that they are three of the most commonly associated psychiatric conditions identified in individuals that desire plastic surgery. The results demonstrated an overall improvement in the impact of BDD after the plastic surgery procedures were undertaken.
What about individuals who experience no reduction in the symptoms of BDD after surgery?
It
is clear that an individual who is aware they have BDD would benefit from the
appropriate psychological assistance prior to having plastic surgery. Denying
plastic surgery to individuals with BDD is a very difficult debate, however.
Would this then lead to the denial of plastic surgery to individuals with other
psychiatric disorders?
It may be argued that an individual’s right to choose is the only way that
suffers from BDD are going to be open about their symptoms and therefore have
access to psychological assistance to assist them after surgery.
