Body Dysmorphia-Please give me information about it!?

I had body dysmorphic disorder when I was younger. For me, it was caused by growing up with a mother who was very critical of my appearance.

My guess is that her disorder is caused by one of two things: 1. she had a parent or other important people earlier in life who insulted her looks or were overly critical. And/or 2. She is using her physical appearance as an excuse for all of the pain or stress she feels.

She will probably laugh you off or even put you down when you tell her she is beautiful or not ugly, but please understand that IT MEANS THE WORLD TO HER to hear it. She is so afraid that she is ugly, and that she will look stupid believing you when you say that she's beautiful that she is afraid to show it, but inside her it is making a difference. Tell her you are shocked that she could think she is ugly when she's so beautiful and DON'T STOP TELLING HER.

Finally, if she's in for in-patient treatment, from experience, it will probably not help her at all. Psych wards are horrible places full of severely insane people and mean nurses and she will likely feel much worse after getting out. What she needs is to see a counselor and talk out her issues. And she needs someone there who will always tell her "I know you feel ugly, but the problem is in your head, not your body. Your body is beautiful!"

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder in which the affected person is excessively concerned about and preoccupied by an imagined or minor defect in his or her physical features. The sufferer may complain of several specific features or a single feature, or a vague feature or general appearance, causing psychological distress that impairs important functioning (e.g. occupational or self-care) or social aspects of life.[1] Culture and clinician bias may play a significant part in the subjectivity behind determining what physical appearance is considered 'normal' and in whom the disorder is diagnosed.[2]

The disorder generally is diagnosed in those who are extremely critical of their physique or self-image even though there may be no noticeable disfigurement or defect.

Most people wish that they could change or improve some aspect of their physical appearance; but people suffering from BDD, generally of normal or even highly attractive appearance, believe that they are so unspeakably hideous that they are unable to interact with others or function normally for fear of ridicule and humiliation about their appearance. They tend to be very secretive and reluctant to seek help because they fear that others will think them vain or because they feel too embarrassed.

Hope that helps.

Body dismorphia is seeing yourself much differently as you are, convinced that you are fat/ugly no matter how thin/pretty you might be.

Copied from Wikipedia "body dismorphic disorder"

BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects, linking it, among psychologists, to the OCD-spectrum disorders. People with BDD may compulsively look at themselves in the mirror or avoid mirrors, typically think about their appearance for at least one hour a day (and usually more), and in severe cases may drop all social contact and responsibilities as they become homebound. The disorder is linked to an unusually high suicide rate among all mental disorders.

A German study has shown that 1–2% of the population meet all the diagnostic criteria of BDD, with a larger percentage showing milder symptoms of the disorder (Psychological Medicine, vol 36, p 877). Chronically low self-esteem is characteristic of those with BDD, because the one's assessment of one's value is so closely linked with one's perception of one's appearance. BDD is diagnosed equally in men and women, and causes chronic social anxiety for its sufferers.[1]

I've never known anyone with full on BDD, but because it's OCD related, it would likely be treated with antidepressents and therapy.