Body Dysmorphic Disorder Awareness Day is meant to show understanding or acknowledgment for those battling with accepting their inevitable flaws during mental health awareness week, May 13-19th. In addition, the day is meant to bring awareness so people can donate to mental health research and treatment for those with ongoing eating disorders and mental illness. It’s essential to express compassion in a community, and this awareness day does just that.
What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Awareness Day brings attention to the risks of this mental health condition. In a research project, students admit to the truth behind the disorder. The students said that the anxiety that follows negative thoughts could be intense and overwhelming since there is a major sense of vulnerability. They wanted others to know that they are not coming from a place of vanity, but they are easily triggered by environmental factors that cause them to second-guess themselves constantly.
Overthinking and stressing about appearance is an exhausting thought process that occurs throughout the day. The students even admitted that forming or keeping friendships or romantic relationships can be tricky since there is a severe lack of confidence or comparison making. But, of course, there are days when the thoughts are not as destructive or time-consuming, and a person with this disorder feels content.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Risk Factors
This mental health condition is unfortunate and can cause long-term health risks if a person falls into severe depression or expresses self-harm episodes. Male body dysmorphic disorder results in the same symptoms and psychological risk factors as women. Factors contributing to the condition include traumatic life experiences, family members who lack confidence or compassion for themselves, and abnormal brain cell function.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Awareness Day, during mental health awareness week, brings attention to the symptoms, which include:
- Avoiding mirrors
- Suicidal thoughts
- Picking your skin with fingers
- Constantly grooming yourself
- Not wanting to leave the house
- Lack of desire to attend social gatherings
- Overthinking and comparing yourself to others
Body dysmorphic disorder therapy can help individuals who are fighting to communicate their thoughts and feelings inflicted by their mental health condition. Finding a successful body dysmorphic disorder treatment can help avoid co-occurring disorders, using drugs as a coping mechanism, or undergoing another severe mental health illness.
Banyan Treatment Centers Philadelphia Cares
At our Philadelphia eating disorder clinic, we offer levels of eating disorder treatments as well as a therapy program to help those struggling with body dysphoria. Our special programs and services include Faith in Recovery and cognitive behavioral therapy. We offer ways for patients to express themselves while feeling safe in a clean environment.
Don’t hesitate to contact a specialist at Banyan Philadelphia today at 888-280-4763 and ask about our eating disorder treatment and mental health programs to get started on the path to recovery!
Source:
- The National Student - Mental Health Awareness Week: 10 things students with body dysmorphic disorder want you to know
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