What is Body Dysmorphia?
Many patients struggling with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder also exhibit symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. Rosewood recognizes the seriousness of body dysmorphia and provides comprehensive treatment as is coexists with other eating disorders. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health illness characterized by a perception of outward physical defects – defects that, to others, are minor or even nonexistent. For those suffering with body dysmorphia, however, these perceived flaws in appearance are overwhelmingly exaggerated and can cause deep emotional turmoil, shame, embarrassment and self-hatred. Body dysmorphic disorder patients can spend up to several hours a day obsessing over their imperfections and not be able to understand why. Unfortunately, body dysmorphic disorder has been significantly under-diagnosed, because BDD patients do not share the normal symptoms of other eating disorders. The lack of awareness and education surrounding body dysmorphia can make it difficult for people to recognize the seriousness of the condition and seek proper medical treatment. No one with body dysmorphia should have to live in the dark anymore – help is available.
