DIAGNOSIS
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders includes BDD as a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder and other related disorders. Persons with BDD often have other anxiety disorders also. However, it shouldn’t be misdiagnosed as social anxiety or other types of mental disorders.
The following criteria are used to diagnose a person with BDD:
- Having repetitive behaviors like mirror checking, touching the perceived flaw, comparing themselves to others, or changing clothes several times a day.
- Preoccupation with the perceived imperfection in the body for at least an hour per day.
- Severe distress that disrupts the person’s ability to function effectively in work, school, social, or other areas of life.
- Some people with an eating disorder might be diagnosed with BDD also.
TREATMENT
A series of treatments are recommended by your physician to find the most suitable treatment that would work best for you. The treatment may also vary over time.
The following may help treat a person with BDD:
Therapy
Intensive psychotherapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the cognitive behavior of the patient. Your physician may include family sessions besides the private sessions you have. The purpose of this therapy is to help the person build his identity, perception, self-esteem, and self-worth.
Medication
Your physician may recommend using some medicines.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) antidepressants, like Lexapro and Prozac, are commonly used. SRI antidepressants help reduce obsessive behaviors and thoughts. Individuals who take this type of medicine has shown greater results in the reduction of BDD symptoms.