What Causes BDD?

What Causes BDD?
The causes of BDD are unclear, but there are several theories. One theory is that the disorder is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, perhaps involving serotonin, that leads to the obsession with perceived body flaws. The causes of that imbalance are unknown. Other theories focus on psychological, behavioral, or cultural factors as the cause of BDD. For example, our culture puts a lot of emphasis on body image and that may play a role.
What is known is that BDD sufferers have tendencies toward being obsessive (so preoccupied with a certain thought or thoughts that the person can't just shake the thought and move on). There is also evidence that people with BDD suffer from depression. So a combination of factors may contribute to a person having BDD.
Signs and Symptoms of BDDPeople with mild to moderate symptoms of BDD usually spend a great deal of time grooming themselves in the morning. Throughout the day, they may frequently check their appearance in mirrors or windows. In addition, they may repeatedly seek reassurance from people around them that they look OK.
"It's normal for adolescents to worry about pimples and look in the mirror," Dr. Watkins says. "It's not normal, however, to hide in a room because of it. Or to seek plastic surgery." It's also not normal to measure the "flawed" body part repeatedly or to spend large sums of money on makeup to cover the problem. And those teens with BDD who find plastic surgeons willing to perform surgery are often not satisfied with the results.
Although teens with mild BDD usually continue to go to school, the obsessions can interfere with their daily lives. "I spoke with one adult who told me that for an entire school year she kept her hand over her nose while at school. This act prevented her from volunteering any responses in class," says Terri Fernandez-Tyson, a researcher who studies BDD at Arizona State University.
Teens with severe symptoms may drop out of school, quit their jobs, or refuse to leave their homes. In the most severe cases, teens with severe BDD may consider or attempt suicide.