Beauty’s war with mind

Experts talk about Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) by Dr Naveen Kumar Dhagudu, senior consultant psychiatrist at Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec City.

There is a link between body dysmorphia and other mental health conditions, “BDD frequently coexists with eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression. It is also closely related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD and BDD share compulsive actions and obsessive thinking. Although eating disorders frequently co-occur, they are distinct diseases,” says Dr Naveen Kumar Dhagudu, senior consultant psychiatrist at Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec City.

But there’s a path to recovery — though it takes time, support, and the right kind of help. “Treatment for co-occurring conditions with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are most successful treatment modalities. CBT assists patients in reducing obsessive habits and challenging erroneous views about their appearance. Medication can lessen anxiety and compulsive thoughts,” Dr Naveen shares.

Read More