Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?
• "Body Dysmorphia: The 'Ugly' Disorder" On HealthyPlace TV
• Teaching Your Introverted Teen to be Social

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

In a world where how you look is considered by some to be all-important, what happens when a person becomes obsessed with their appearance to the point where they imagine they're ugly?

Hundreds of thousands of women AND men suffer from the pain of body dysmorphia, a preoccupation with a real or imagined physical defect. BDD has been called "imagined ugliness" because the appearance issues the person is obsessing about usually are so small that others don't even notice them. If they do notice, they consider them minor. But for a person with BDD, the concerns feel very real, because the obsessive thoughts distort and magnify any tiny imperfection.

According to research by Dr. Katharine Phillips, BDD expert and author of The Broken Mirror, skin, hair and the nose are the top 3 locations of perceived defects - followed by toes, eyes, weight, abdomen, breasts, eyes, thighs, teeth and legs.

Depression and anxiety usually accompany Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and in it's extreme form, those with BDD think they are so ugly and hideous that they refuse to go out for fear of being ridiculed.

Do You or a Loved One Have BDD?

Share your experiences with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or respond to other people's audio posts, by calling our toll-free number (1-888-883-8045).

You can listen to what other people are saying by clicking on the gray title bars inside the widgets located on the "Sharing Your Mental Health Experiences" homepage, the HealthyPlace homepage, and the HealthyPlace Support Network homepage.

If you have any questions, write us at: info AT healthyplace.com

"Body Dysmorphia: The 'Ugly' Disorder" On HealthyPlace TV

Thoughts that her face and body are somehow disfigured or out of proportion plague Rebecca. How this has impacted her psychologically and physically and what can be done about BDD - this Tuesday on the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show.

Join us Tuesday, November 10, at 5:30p PT, 7:30 CST, 8:30 EST or catch it on-demand. The show airs live on our website. Rebecca will be taking your questions during the live show.

• Body Image Distortions, BDD - TV Show blog with this week's show info.
• Listen as Rebecca describes her struggle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder

In the second half of the show, you get to ask HealthyPlace.com Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, your personal mental health questions.

Still to Come in November on the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show

• Mental Illness in the Family
• Overcoming Overeating

If you would like to be a guest on the show or share your personal story in writing or via video, please write us at: producer AT healthyplace.com

Click here for a list of previous HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Shows.

Teaching Your Introverted Teen to be Social

A parent writes: "We are so worried about our teenage daughter. She spends all of her free time at home and seems so disinterested in making friends and enjoying the teenage life. She's always been shy and not very conversational, even at home. What can we do?"

Are you facing a similar problem? The Parent Coach, Dr. Steven Richfield, has some suggestions for helping an introverted child or teen.

back to: HealthyPlace.com Mental-Health Newsletter Index