| Simply put, body dysmorphic disorder is the false | | | | interactive aspect of these discussions must be |
| perception of one's body (or a particular body part). | | | | highlighted. The therapist should be smart enough to |
| The person perceives an ugliness or hideousness on | | | | make connections and retrace the history of the |
| the body part, which exaggerates only a simple | | | | client probably to adolescence and early adulthood, |
| characteristic that the person dislikes about the part. | | | | during which time the disorder commonly develops. |
| The usual body parts are hair, nose, skin, buttocks, | | | | Alternative techniques like meditation and reflection |
| eyes, and thighs. More women than men have the | | | | can also be used but of course this should be done |
| disorder, arguably because of socio-cultural factors in | | | | only in conjunction with the therapy sessions. |
| society. | | | | One unfortunate aspect of this disorder is the effect |
| How can anyone face the disorder? It all begins with | | | | that it causes on the lives of the sufferers. The |
| being aware that the disorder exists. The client must | | | | clients may feel that they are doing society a favor |
| come to believe that his or her perception is false | | | | by hiding themselves, or they may feel that out |
| and untrustworthy. Hence, in this way behavioral and | | | | there they will be ridiculed. These factors can be |
| cognitive therapies can help treat the disorder. | | | | burdensome to friends or family members. Hence, |
| Behavioral therapy involves training. So in this case, | | | | family therapy can also be of help to cope up with |
| he or she has to undergo a sort of retraining with his | | | | the disorder together. |
| or her perspective. Cognitive therapy focuses more | | | | The disabling effect of the condition can hardly be |
| on the mental aspects of the disorder. Contrary to | | | | overemphasized. Thus, it is good to seek professional |
| what the patients may expect, cosmetic surgery is | | | | help as soon as the symptoms are identified. |
| not the answer. | | | | Professional help can recommend certain therapeutic |
| A mental disorder cannot be simply fixed through a | | | | practices to reduce the anxiety and fear involve with |
| physical process. In therapy or counseling sessions, | | | | the disorder. Positive appraisal and feedback may be |
| the patient must verbalize his or her anxieties with | | | | necessary to help the client persevere with the |
| regard to his or her physical appearance. There | | | | treatment in time. We should not underestimate this |
| should be an honest discussion about how or she | | | | disorder; it has to be dealt with as soon as possible. |
| truly perceives his or her looks. The therapeutic and | | | | |