UNIVERSIDAD DE LA REPUBLICA

MEXICANA
UNIREM
English VIII

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Martha Elena Arteaga Gutirrez
Ps801

Aguirre Coria Claudia

05/August/2014.

Body dysmorphic disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (anteriomente known as BDD) is a somatoform
disorder that involves a major concern and unusual for any perceived defect in
physical characteristics (body image), whether real or imagined. If the defect
exists, worry and anxiety experienced by these people is excessive, since they see
it in an exaggerated way. The victim may complain of one or more defects; some
vague characteristics, or appearance in general (global), causing significant
psychological distress that impairs their social or work, to the point of manifesting
anxiety-depressive symptoms severe, development of other anxiety disorders,
isolation and social exclusion.

It is estimated that 1-2% of the world's population meet the diagnostic criteria
themselves TDC.1

The causes of BDD differ from one person to another. However, most researchers
believe it could be a combination of biological, psychological and environmental
factors in their past or present. Mistreatment, abuse or neglect can also be
contributing factors.

The onset of symptoms usually occurs in adolescence or early adulthood, where
most personal criticism related to body image begins, although cases of BDD onset
in children and older adults are not unknown. It is mistakenly believed that BDD
affects mostly women, but research shows that it affects men and women equally.

The disorder causes deterioration in the quality of life; and usually occurs
comorbidity with major depressive disorder and social phobia. With a rate of
suicidal ideation of about 80%, extreme cases of BDD may be considered risk
factors for suicide; however, many cases of BDD are treated with psychiatric or
psychological intervention. A person with this disorder can be treated with
psychotherapy, medication or both modalities. Research has shown that cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may
be effective in treating BDD.

Body dysmorphic disorder is usually chronic course, and symptoms tend to persist
or worsen over time if left untreated. Those affected by TDC suffer for many years
before deciding to seek psychological or psychiatric help.

Personality traits can vary greatly from one subject to another, and have that be
the same traits in all affected. Some personality traits associated:

Emotional insecurity
Introversion
Shyness, inhibition
Urgent need for the approval of others
Special sensitivity to rejection and criticism; vulnerability
Excessive self-consciousness
Obsessive
Anxiety
Narcissism
Hypochondria
Neuroticism
Perfectionism
Self-esteem, poor self-image and self-concept (highly dependent on the
assessment of their physical appearance)
Difficulty in interpersonal relations, social skills deficits and assertiveness
Avoidant personality traits, dependent personality, obsessive-compulsive
personality. (Cluster C, DSM IV)
Possibly also: traits of borderline, narcissistic and histrionic personality
(Cluster B, DSM IV).
Social phobia (social anxiety disorder)

Symptoms
Common symptoms include:

Obsessive thoughts about perceived flaws.
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors related to perceived flaws.
Symptoms of major depressive disorder.
Ideas and delusional beliefs related to perceived flaws.
Social and family isolation; social anxiety disorder (SAD) or social phobia;
interpersonal anxiety; withdrawal or self-imposed social isolation.
Suicidal ideation.
anxiety; possible panic attacks.
Low self-esteem; poor self-concept and self-image.
Obsessive comparisons with others.
Feelings of fear and loathing in social settings thinking and imagining that
others notice and mock their perceived defect.
Intense feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Feelings of inferiority and inadequacy.
Avoidance behaviors: avoiding leaving home, relationships; putuales or just
depart on time; for example, at night.
Dependence or safety behaviors: dependent on the company of a
colleague, friend or family. This reduces their anxiety.
Absenteeism, low productivity, loss of employment; inability to work or
inability to focus on it because of concerns about their appearance.
Decreased academic performance (problems maintaining the usual grades,
attendance problems or school to college).
Problems to start, establish and maintain meaningful relationships (both
intimate relationships such as friendship).
Marital or relationship problems.
Abuse of alcohol or drugs (often in an attempt to self-medicate).
Repetitive, ritualized behaviors (as the constant application of makeup;
periodically verify appearance in mirrors (check behaviors).
Perceiving that his image varies somewhat increasingly seen in a mirror or
reflective surface (distorted body image).
Perfectionism (undergoing cosmetic surgery and perform behaviors such as
excessive moisturizing and exercising with the goal of creating an ideal but
unattainable body and reduce anxiety) .8

Compulsive behaviors

Common compulsive behaviors associated with BDD:

Compulsive checking in mirrors, windows, doors or any other reflective surface.
Conversely, inability (or phobia) sees his own reflection, photos and videos of
oneself. Elimination of all mirrors and reflective surfaces of the house.
Attempts to camouflage the defects: for example, cosmetic camouflage, wearing
baggy clothing, maintaining specific body posture or wearing hats.
The use of distraction techniques: attempts to divert the attention of the person
perceived defect, eg wearing extravagant clothing or excessive jewelry.
Excessive grooming behaviors: dermatilomana, combing hair, plucking eyebrows,
shave, facial, dental hygiene, etc..

Probing compulsive skin, especially to feel and estimate the perceived defect.
Hostile behavior toward others for unknown reasons, especially to the opposite sex
or the same sex if homosexuality.
Search safety of their loved ones (shelter).

Excessive and strict diet and exercise, aimed at changing their outward
appearance.

Self-harm.
Compare their appearance or body parts of others; obsession with celebrities or
models to which the TDC want to seem affected.
Compulsive search for information: reading books, newspaper articles,
encyclopedias, magazines and web sites related to perceived flaws; eg hair loss or
being overweight.

Obsession with plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery; Cosmetic or
dermatological procedures. If subjected to these techniques often get
unsatisfactory or worsening the worst cases (patient perception) results.
In extreme cases, patients have attempted to perform plastic surgery on them,
including liposuction and various implants with disastrous results.
Excessive use of enemas (if obesity is concerned)

Common body areas object of obsession

The main obsessions are with skin, face, genitals, wrinkles, teeth, chest, buttocks,
scars, facial asymmetry, hair, facial hair, lips, nose, eyes, head, thighs, legs,
abdomen, ears, chin, etc.. Men are generally concerned of the genitals, while
women tend to be more concerned with your face, hair and chest. People close to
the affected will not agree with the perceived defect and be a source of constant
discussion. The flaw exists however in the eyes of suffering from TDC and does
not understand that others may not see the perceived defect. Despite its theoretical
shortcomings are refuted by others, only give validity to what it perceives.

Skin (73%)
Hair (56%)
Weight (55%)
Nose (37%)
Toes (36%)
Abdomen (22%)
Breast / chest / nipples (21%)
Eyes (20%)
Thighs (20%)
Teeth (20%)
Legs (general) (18%)
Body / bone structure structure (16%)
Facial features (general) (14%)
Face size / shape (12%)
Lips (12%)
Buttocks (12%)
Chin (11%)
Eyebrows (11%)
Hips (11%)
Ears (9%)
Arms / wrists (9%)
Waist (9%)
Genitalia (8%)
Cheeks / cheekbones (8%)
Calf (8%)
Height (7%)
Head (size or shape) (6%)
Front (6%)
Feet (6%)
Hands (6%)
Boca (6%)
Mandible (6%)
Back (6%)
Fingers (5%)
Neck (5%)
Shoulders (3%)
Kneeling (3%)
Ankles (2%)
Facial muscles (1%)

Bibliographic reference:

Sigmund Freud, "From the History of an Infantile Neurosis" (1918), reprinted
in Peter Gay, The Freud Reader (London: Vintage, 1995).

James L. Rice, Freud's Russia: National Identity in the Evolution of
Psychoanalysis (New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1993), 94-98.
ISBN 1-56000-091-0

Torok Maria, Abraham Nicolas, The wolf man's magic word, a cryptonymy,
1986
Veale D.Trastorno Dismrfico Corporal [Body Dysmorphic
Disorder]Postgraduate Medical Journal 80:67-71, 2003.
Berrios G.E., Kan Chung-Sing. (1996) "A conceptual and quantitative
analysis of 178 historical cases of dysmorphophobia". Acta Psychiatrica
Scandinavica 94: 1-7.
Phillips, K.A. (1998) "The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body
Dysmorphic Disorder". Oxford University Press.
Montao, I.L. (2001) "Mujer, belleza y psicopatologa". Revista Colombiana
de Psiquiatra.Vol XXX, n 4:383-388.
Dillner L. (February 22, 2001) "On the very lovely (and very unfat) Uma
Thurman, body dysmorphia and the folly of misusing medical terms".The
Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/































Dear editor of USA Today:

the day yesterday as I always buy the newspaper over breakfast, caught my
attention an article that I found extremely important because of the
problematic that Africa presents, personally I think that should of be a little
more specific as the question initial article was to computers or food Africa
children.

As is public domain Africa is one of the most rotten continents day world day
die over one thousand children due to malnutrition that derived little
economic activity generated by that country to personally I'm interested in
more prevent many deaths by malnutrition rather than bring technology with
this I do not mean it is a bad initiative however as intended them
technological instruments which definitely would help them a lot, but like
trying to ask them to learn to use computers when they have adequate
nutrition and nutrients needed for daily and simples the day to day activities,
we propose that a proper campaign alimentation was initiated to help these
children succeed as well as having a good health.

Raising money for a food bank which they can provide to families who need
it most as well as promote employment opportunities for parents of these
children has a means to improve their lives and health.

No more for now I thank you for your kind attention
Looking forward to have a nice day .











A reader very concerned about childhood
Arteaga Gutierrez Martha Elena