Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) causes people to obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance that are either minor or nonexistent. People with BDD experience low self-esteem and set extremely high and unrealistic standards for their appearance. Symptoms include obsessive comparison to others, excessive grooming or exercise, and seeking unnecessary cosmetic surgeries. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are also body image disorders that are influenced by genetic and environmental factors like pressures from family and Western culture's emphasis on thinness as the ideal body type.

1. BODY DYSMORPHIABODY DYSMORPHIA
PRISCILA STAFFORDPRISCILA STAFFORD
JACOB WITTJACOB WITT
STEPHANIE CERVANTESSTEPHANIE CERVANTES
PSYCH 5PSYCH 5

2. What It IsWhat It Is
 Although some of us may have something we dislike aboutAlthough some of us may have something we dislike about
ourselves, body dysmorphic disorder completely alters one’sourselves, body dysmorphic disorder completely alters one’s
perception of their physical self.perception of their physical self.
 People with BD cannot stop the negative thoughts they havePeople with BD cannot stop the negative thoughts they have
about their physical appearance. Usually when we notice ourabout their physical appearance. Usually when we notice our
physical flaws they’re small or nonexistent, but people withphysical flaws they’re small or nonexistent, but people with
BDD become obsessive over these “flaws.”BDD become obsessive over these “flaws.”
 BDD causes low self-evaluation, sets perfectionist standards,BDD causes low self-evaluation, sets perfectionist standards,
fear of falling short of expectations, and over concern for thefear of falling short of expectations, and over concern for the
perception of others.perception of others.
 BDD most often develops in adolescents and teens, andBDD most often develops in adolescents and teens, and
research shows that it affects men and women almostresearch shows that it affects men and women almost
equally. About one percent of the U.S. population has BDD.equally. About one percent of the U.S. population has BDD.

3. SymptomsSymptoms
 Obsessing over their bodies. These obsessions can last forObsessing over their bodies. These obsessions can last for
hours or days.hours or days.
 Constantly compare their physicalities to other peoples’Constantly compare their physicalities to other peoples’
appearances or specific body parts.appearances or specific body parts.
 Obsess in front of mirrors or avoid mirrors altogether.Obsess in front of mirrors or avoid mirrors altogether.
 Skin picking or excessive groomingSkin picking or excessive grooming
 Excessive exercise or camouflaging body with clothing, orExcessive exercise or camouflaging body with clothing, or
constantly changing clothing.constantly changing clothing.
 Adamantly seeking surgery to change perceived flawsAdamantly seeking surgery to change perceived flaws

4. AnorexiaAnorexia
 Anorexia was identified and named in the 1870s when it appearedAnorexia was identified and named in the 1870s when it appeared
among affluent adolescent girls.among affluent adolescent girls.
 Anorexia typically begins as a weight loss diet.Anorexia typically begins as a weight loss diet.
 People with anorexia (usually adolescents and 9 out of 10 timesPeople with anorexia (usually adolescents and 9 out of 10 times
female) drop significantly below their normal weight usually byfemale) drop significantly below their normal weight usually by
15% or more.15% or more.
 Even though this is the case they still feel overweight, and starveEven though this is the case they still feel overweight, and starve
themselves while exercising excessively.themselves while exercising excessively.
 A U.S. National Institute of Mental health-funded study reportedA U.S. National Institute of Mental health-funded study reported
that at sompe point during their lifetime 0.6% of people meet thethat at sompe point during their lifetime 0.6% of people meet the
criteria for anorexia.criteria for anorexia.

5. BulimiaBulimia
 Bulimia also begins as a weight loss diet, but is broken byBulimia also begins as a weight loss diet, but is broken by
over-eating.over-eating.
 People with bulimia alternate binge eating (eatingPeople with bulimia alternate binge eating (eating
excessively) and purging (vomiting or laxative use) then mayexcessively) and purging (vomiting or laxative use) then may
follow this up with fasting or exercising excessively.follow this up with fasting or exercising excessively.
 People with bulimia are typically obsessed with food and itPeople with bulimia are typically obsessed with food and it
becomes their main focus in life and they crave fatty andbecomes their main focus in life and they crave fatty and
sugar filled foods but fear gaining weight.sugar filled foods but fear gaining weight.
 Bulimia is marked by weight fluctuations within or aboveBulimia is marked by weight fluctuations within or above
normal ranges making it an easy condition to hide.normal ranges making it an easy condition to hide.

6. GeneticsGenetics
 Mothers of girls with eating disorders tend to focus on theirMothers of girls with eating disorders tend to focus on their
own weight and on their daughters’ weight/appearance.own weight and on their daughters’ weight/appearance.
 Bulimia patients’ families have a higher incidence ofBulimia patients’ families have a higher incidence of
childhood obesity and negative self-evaluations.childhood obesity and negative self-evaluations.
 Anorexia patients’ families tend to be competitive, highAnorexia patients’ families tend to be competitive, high
achieving, and protective.achieving, and protective.
 Twins are also more likely to share the disorder if they areTwins are also more likely to share the disorder if they are
identical rather than fraternal.identical rather than fraternal.
 Scientists are currently trying to find culprit genes whichScientists are currently trying to find culprit genes which
influence the body’s serotonin and estrogen.influence the body’s serotonin and estrogen.

7. Culture/GenderCulture/Gender
 Not being thin is frowned upon in Western beauty cultureNot being thin is frowned upon in Western beauty culture
where the rise in eating disorders is attributed towhere the rise in eating disorders is attributed to
dissatisfaction with body image.dissatisfaction with body image.
 Most vulnerable to disorders are statistically women and gayMost vulnerable to disorders are statistically women and gay
men who idealize seemingly “perfect” beauty standards andmen who idealize seemingly “perfect” beauty standards and
have a poor self-image.have a poor self-image.
 Western culture has a penchant for making thinness andWestern culture has a penchant for making thinness and
doctored images of models the ideal mark of beauty causingdoctored images of models the ideal mark of beauty causing
people to feel ashamed of their own bodies.people to feel ashamed of their own bodies.