Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Book AppointmentBody dysmorphic disorder is a psychiatric disorder that makes you obsessed with your physical appearance. More particularly, you are obsessed with a flaw in your appearance, which may either be much less severe than you believe, or even be entirely imaginary. However, it seems so overwhelming to you that you end up avoiding social situations, so others cannot see your flaws.
These perceived flaws become a cause of severe distress in your life and negatively impact your ability to function normally. You may dislike any part of your body, but the common features are hair, skin, nose, chest or stomach. This disorder is most common in and often develops in adolescents and teens, and affects both men and women almost equally.
Body dysmorphic disorder can occur due to several factors, such as:
Genetic predisposition for mental illness
Neurobiological factors (chemical imbalance in the brain)
Personality traits
Life experiences
When to seek expert advise
If you or a loved one is experiencing extreme body image issues, seek help from your doctor. You can obtain additional information and expert medical advice from the highly trained and internationally accredited staff working with the Department of Psychiatry at The Aga Khan University Hospital.
Imagery
Disclaimer
The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.
)
)
)
)
)