/assets/production/practices/53e5006db44cfa01969ea646fbd6f2647ef9a613/images/2637912.jpg)
Body Dysphoria Q & A
What is body dysphoria?
Body dysphoria, also referred to as body dysmorphic disorder, is a mental health condition that affects the way you perceive your body. You might be so upset about your appearance that you can’t live a happy, confident, fulfilling life. See the Colorado Cares Psychiatry experts at the first sign of a debilitating problem. The team also addresses challenges affecting the transgender community.
What are the symptoms of body dysphoria?
The symptoms associated with body dysphoria include:
- Focusing on perceived flaws in your appearance
- Spending hours daily worrying about your appearance
- Thoughts of suicide
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Constantly looking at yourself in the mirror
- Avoiding mirrors
- Constantly exercising or grooming yourself
- Trying to hide specific body parts
- Constantly comparing your appearance with others
- Avoiding social activities
- Always asking other people if you look OK
- Spending most of your time at home
- Seeing health care specialists because of your appearance
- Anxiety
- Feeling shamed
- Picking at your skin
- Having unnecessary plastic surgery
- Feeling inadequate
- Shame
- Fear
- Ridicule
You might focus on certain parts of your body, such as your hair, skin, face, butt, stomach, legs, or chest.
What may increase the risk of body dysphoria?
The cause of body dysphoria likely includes combinations of psychological, environmental, and genetic components. Risk factors include:
- Getting bullied
- Being transgender
- Family history of body dysphoria
- Traumatic life experiences
- Certain personality traits
- Abnormal brain chemicals
- Other mental health disorders
Body dysphoria often begins in the teenage years, though the exact cause of developing it isn’t entirely clear. The condition affects about 1 in 100 men and women.
How is body dysphoria diagnosed?
The Colorado Cares Psychiatry team discusses your symptoms, lifestyle habits, emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and more to determine if you have body dysphoria and the best way to treat your condition. They also ask about your medication regimen and offer GeneSight® testing if you’re a candidate for medications.
People with body dysphoria may also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, social anxiety, or eating disorders.
How is body dysphoria treated?
Your personalized treatment plan for body dysphoria may include undergoing psychotherapy, making lifestyle changes, and taking medications if needed.
Your counselor offers in-person and telepsychiatry therapy individually or as a couple or family. You might meet with your provider weekly or as needed to learn cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other therapies that help you overcome mental health obstacles and live your best life.
Schedule an in-person or telepsychiatry evaluation at Colorado Cares Psychiatry by phone or request one online today to get screened or treated for body dysphoria.