Psychologist Explanation: What is Dysmorphophobia

25.10.2023 19:00
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:22

Researchers estimate that up to 4% of the US population suffers from body dysmorphic disorder.

What is fear of your body called

Dysmorphophobia, that is, the fear of the unattractiveness of one’s body, is structured as follows: a person sees some part of his body as ugly, deformed and seeks to correct the defect.

Why does dysmorphophobia occur

There are usually several reasons for the development of dysmorphophobia.

Characteristic personality traits (suspiciousness, emotional lability) in combination with characteristics of upbringing, teasing or criticism, sexual or other emotional trauma can lead to this disorder.

What is the difference between dysmorphophobia and dysmorphomania

With dysmorphophobia, a person actually has a real defect in appearance, and the mental disorder consists in the fact that worries about this overshadow the mind and do not allow one to exist normally in society.

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What to do with Body Dysmorphophobia

To treat dysmorphophobia in adolescents, women and men, narrowly focused psychotherapy is used.

As a rule, during an exacerbation of depression, drug therapy is prescribed.

It is possible to use antidepressants and tranquilizers to reduce anxiety and stabilize the condition.

Author: Diana Dashkevich Editor internet resource

Content
  1. What is fear of your body called
  2. Why does dysmorphophobia occur
  3. What is the difference between dysmorphophobia and dysmorphomania
  4. What to do with Body Dysmorphophobia