How to Help Somebody with Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is one of the severe chronic mental illnesses in which patients cannot stop their self from thinking about flaws with their personality and appearance. For them, their appearance seems to be something shameful that they try their best to hide from others. This disorder is also known as body Dysmorphia, Dysmorphic syndrome, imagined ugliness and Dysmorphophobia.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder’s patients hugely preoccupy over their look and body figure, often for several hours per day. They go through numerous expensive cosmetic surgeries and therapies to fix the assumed flaws in their look, but never will they be satisfied with the results.

Unfortunately, if any of your loved one is a patient of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, you really have to help him or her out in this regard. There are many useful ways to overcome this fear of having a deformity. All it requires is “your love, struggle and proper attention towards the patient.” So, are you ready to help your love one to overcome BDD?

Instructions

  • 1

    Know about Body Dysmorphic Disorder

    Until and unless you do not thoroughly understand the Body Dysmorphic Disorder, you would not be able to help the patient out. Therefore, learn about BDD as much as you can, so that you can help him/her properly. Search online as there is huge information available there or read some book related to it. Moreover, discuss BDD in your social gathering to know about the personal experiences of various people in dealing with this disorder.

  • 2

    Start the Treatment

    The moment you diagnosed your loved one with BDD, make sure to take him/her to the skillful therapist of you area. The earlier you start the treatment, the more fruitful will be the outcomes. Discuss the condition of the patient in detail in order to identify the level of the illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy and some effective Medications are prescribed by the therapists most of them time. Help the patient taking the medicines on time and to visit the therapist on the scheduled appointments.

  • 3

    Try to understand him/her

    Once the BDD’s patient feels that his/her disorder is understood and accepted by the close ones, he/she doesn’t take much time to recover.  You harsh attitude can make it more difficult for them to recover.

  • 4

    No stress at all!

    Stress is one among the causes of Body Dysmorphic Disorder and can make the situation of the patient poorer. Try you best to keep him/her away from the possible reasons of stress. Try to engage them into healthy activities like charity work, household activities and games etc.

  • 5

    Say No to Alcohol and Drugs

    Make sure to keep the patient away from drugs and alcoholic drinks as these items not only obstruct with the medication the patient is taking, but can also make him/her even more depressed about their BDD.

  • 6

    Exercising

    Exercising is another important tactic to deal with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. It reduces anxiety and stress, making the patient feels better. You don’t need to take the patient to any gym for this purpose as you can encourage them to carry out simple exercises at home, like jogging, walking etc.

  • 7

    Meditation and Yoga

    Meditation and Yoga are one of the best ideas to overcome Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Take some time for your loved one and carry yoga and meditation with him/her for some time. You will feel the difference.

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