When it comes to our appearance, most of us have an area of our body that we are not completely happy with. Maybe we feel our nose is too big, our face is showing signs of aging, or after having children, we have a slight belly pouch. This is natural and, in these cases, a facelift, rhinoplasty, or a tummy tuck can help us achieve our desired look.
However, for those with body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, these flaws overwhelm daily thoughts, making it difficult to live a normal life. When it comes to body dysmorphic disorder in plastic surgery patients, cosmetic procedures are often not enough and, in some cases, can make the condition even worse.
What Is Body Dysmorphia or Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition where a perceived negativity around a particular aspect of your appearance gets in the way of your ability to live your normal life. Those with BDD become obsessed with their perceived flaw, often seeking out plastic surgery procedures to correct the problem, but oftentimes this is not enough, and the negativity continues as does the desire to “fix” the problem, with many seeking additional cosmetic treatments. In many cases, these negative thoughts can become so overwhelming, they can lead to thoughts of suicide.
Signs of Body Dysmorphia
With BDD, the most common areas of obsession include the face, skin, chest and stomach. Those with body dysmorphia may experience the following symptoms:
- Constantly checking appearance in the mirror
- Completely avoiding mirrors
- Looking for ways to hide or minimize the specific area of the body
- Constantly exercising or grooming
- Comparing physical appearance to others
- Asking opinions of others
- Not believing that others say you look good
- Avoiding social activities
- Having unnecessary plastic surgeries
- Experiencing feelings of anxiousness and depression
- Feeling ashamed
- Thoughts of suicide
Do Plastic Surgery Procedures Help Those with Body Dysmorphia?
Plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures have skyrocketed over the past years, with 400,000 people seeking procedures in 1992 compared to the over 21 million procedures in 2015. With this increase, plastic surgeons are more likely to have patients with BDD. Unfortunately, plastic surgery, as well as non-invasive treatments such as injectables, are contraindicated in those with BDD. Even when a cosmetic procedure is performed, the person with BDD often does not see benefits from the treatment and if they do, they often become obsessed with another feature. When a plastic surgeon sees the signs of BDD, rather than perform the desired procedures, it is imperative that the underlying mental health disorder be addressed and treated first.
When a Plastic Surgeon Suspects BDD
To diagnose BDD, physicians should look for a preoccupation with defects or flaws in the physical appearance, repetitive behaviors, such as looking in the mirror or skin picking, and impairment in normal behavior and function. Individuals with BDD will possess unrealistic expectations about the outcomes of cosmetic surgical procedures. In cases like this, plastic surgeons should refer patients to mental health professionals before considering any cosmetic procedures.
Dr. Scot Martin concentrates on breast enhancement and body contouring at his practice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A nationally recognized plastic surgeon, Dr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
He looks forward to meeting you and helping you become the best version of yourself possible.
