Understanding body dysmorphia, a condition that impacts even celebrities

In a recent podcast interview, actress Megan Fox opened up about struggling with body dysmorphia since she was five years old. In India, actress Ileana D'Cruz has been vocal about her struggles with body dysmorphia (BDD) and how it almost led to her suicide. Sonam Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra have also been vocal about their body image issues. Lili Reinhart from the popular TV series “Riverdale,” Oscar-winning singer Billie Eilish and why even Michael Jackson struggles with debilitating health conditions.

What is BDD and why is it so common among teenagers? Lounge spoke to experts to find out more about the condition, its causes and possible treatment options.

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What is BDD?
Do you often look at yourself in the mirror and fixate on a flaw that others might not even notice? Have you had a lot of cosmetic surgery to look a certain way? Do you find that you are overly critical of your body weight and shape? You may be suffering from a mental illness called body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD.

In this state, a person usually obsesses over a minor or imagined flaw in their appearance. This can lead to significant stress, social withdrawal, and compulsive behaviors such as excessive mirror looking, grooming rituals, or seeking cosmetic procedures. Jashan Vij, a certified health and fat loss coach, says, “Recent statistics suggest that around 2-2.5% of people suffer from this condition,” citing Kendall Jenner and Jameela Jamil's struggles with BDD Says Vij, “While some have faced issues like obsessive self-criticism and excessive grooming, some face the typical issues of wanting to look like a celebrity. Additionally, they set unrealistic standards for themselves.”

Symptoms and causes
You may have BDD if you obsess over one or more perceived flaws in your appearance or develop compulsive behaviors, such as: Such as excessive use of mirrors or not looking at them, hiding your flaws with excessive makeup, or wearing certain types of clothing to camouflage your form. “I've never felt comfortable in really tiny clothes. I was always worried about my appearance. This was the peak of my body dysmorphia. “I couldn’t look in the mirror at all,” Eilish was quoted as saying in an interview.

Other behaviors include seeking constant reassurance about your appearance, obsessive body worry, or negative thoughts about certain areas of your body that you consider to be too big or too small. Some people may also constantly compare themselves to models or celebrities and seek cosmetic surgery or medical treatments to change their appearance. Modern Family actor Reid Ewing suffered from BDD for years and underwent many cosmetic surgeries but was never satisfied with the results. Even the legendary Michael Jackson had to undergo several cosmetic surgeries to change his appearance in a certain way.

Dr. Gitanjali Natarajan, director of clinical psychology at Niyama Healthcare in Chennai, explains that the main reason for such behavior lies in a complex interplay of biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors rather than a single causal factor. For example, there could be an imbalance of certain brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, that could lead to obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior associated with BDD. Genetic factors, such as if a close family member suffers from BDD or other mental illnesses such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or depressive disorder, also increase the risk of developing it.

Certain psychological factors such as adverse childhood experiences, including bullying, teasing, or appearance-related abuse, can lead to BDD in adulthood. Natarajan points out that society's emphasis on unrealistic beauty standards and media portrayals of a “perfect” body are among the main causes of body dissatisfaction and self-comparison, triggering BDD in at-risk individuals.

Plausible treatments
A combination of psychological therapies and medication has been shown to be most effective in treating BDD. Natarajan lists the four most effective treatments for this condition:

1. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This therapy helps people deal with distressing thoughts and feelings about their appearance and commit to living meaningful lives in line with their values, without becoming overwhelmed by their perceived shortcomings.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): It helps individuals identify and challenge distorted thoughts and beliefs about their appearance, leading to a more realistic self-perception and reduced anxiety. Coping mechanisms are also taught to deal with obsessions and compulsive behaviors related to appearance, such as looking in the mirror or seeking security.
3. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): This specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy gradually exposes sufferers to situations that trigger their BDD symptoms while building their skills to resist compulsive behavior. This helps break the cycle of fear and avoidance in BDD.
4. Body image therapy: This therapy aims to challenge unrealistic beauty standards and develop a more positive and accepting body image and better self-compassion.

Natarajan recommends a few other steps in addition to the treatments:

1. Develop self-acceptance and compassion: In order to have a healthy self-image, it is necessary to refrain from self-criticism and constantly comparing yourself with others.
2. Dealing with emotions and thoughts with mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques such as meditation and presence awareness to deal with difficult emotions and self-judgmental thoughts.
3. Restrict social media: Reduce the time you spend on platforms that trigger negative comparisons or exacerbate body image concerns.
4. Focus on your values: Define what is important to you in life beyond looks. Pursue values-based goals to find meaning and purpose.
5. Practice self-care: Participate in activities that you enjoy and promote relaxation and well-being. Prioritize healthy sleep, a balanced diet and exercise.
6. Contact support groups: Connect with others who understand your problems. Sharing experiences and learning from others can be incredibly helpful in not feeling alone in your struggle with BDD.

Remember that BDD is a common mental illness and with the right guidance, you can rewrite your body narrative.

Shweta Dravid is a self-confessed explorer who writes about travel, health, wellness, mindfulness and life truths.

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