In recent years, BDD, or Body Dysmorphic Disorder, has received increasing attention. The public once largely ignored this illness, and people commonly lumped it in with generalized anxiety and other mental issues. However, scientists have recently started recognizing BDD’s specific symptoms and traits.
Individuals with body dysmorphia intensely focus on perceived physical flaws that others often overlook. Body dysmorphia, also called body dysmorphic disorder or BDD, can sometimes cause someone so much anxiety about their physical appearance that they begin avoiding social interactions and outings. Affected individuals frequently check their reflection and seek validation, says the Mayo Clinic.
People who suffer from BDD are often highly insecure about their appearance and are often preoccupied with perceived physical flaws. A pre-existing physical condition often causes this anxiety, but in some cases, the issues may be imaginary. BDD can be a crippling condition that can lead to even more extreme anxiety and depression often affecting individuals in their personal lives and at work.
Hair Loss and Body Dysmorphia
Those who experience hair loss might be more likely to suffer from body dysmorphia than others. A 2015 study indicated that 30% of hair loss patients showed body dysmorphia. The study also revealed that 52% of men and 26% of women experienced BDD.
Individuals who suffer from body dysmorphia often report that concerns about their hair and hair loss are a significant trigger for the illness. Receding hairlines, thinning hair, and common baldness patterns can affect anyone’s life and self-esteem. Still, it can be much more severe and anxiety-inducing for individuals suffering from BDD.
Warning Signs
Individuals who suffer from BDD often report experiencing:
- Extreme self-consciousness
- Fixation on a specific flaw or set of flaws
- Referential thinking, “they are all making fun of how I look”
- Impulse control issues
- Appearance comparison – constant comparison of oneself to others
- Safety-seeking – looking to escape social situations in which the individual feels self-conscious
One of the most commonly reported physical features that people struggle with is hair loss, thinning, or baldness. Losing hair can significantly impact people’s confidence, but it should not hinder daily activities and social gatherings. It might be time to change if you regularly feel shame about your appearance or hair loss. Call your primary care physician to discuss mental health treatments, then call Hairline Ink to learn how we can help you regain your confidence.
Like many other forms of mental illness, doctors can treat BDD. Therapy, medical treatment, and a commitment to staying healthy can help individuals affected by this disorder. In some cases, hair loss treatment can help alleviate the stress and self-consciousness associated with body dysmorphia.
Our Solution
At Hairline Ink, we want everyone to feel confident in their appearance, even if they have experienced hair loss, shedding, baldness, or failed hair transplants. We offer a variety of services to help you feel your best, including scalp micropigmentation, scar camouflage, adding density to your natural hair, and repairing hair transplants. For more information on utilizing Hairline Ink‘s Scalp Micropigmentation services to combat body dysmorphia, Hairline Ink can have the answers. If you or someone you know is suffering from hair loss, contact our team of experts to learn how scalp micropigmentation can help you to defy hair loss and reinvent the way you feel. We offer Scalp Micropigmentation in over 50 US cities. Call or text us today at 833-HAIR-INK (833-424-7465) to schedule an appointment, learn about our pricing, or to get a free quote.
If you suffer from body dysmorphia, or if you know someone who does, there are treatments out there that can assist with this disorder. We have included links to some helpful resources below in the hopes that you can learn more about BDD, the symptoms, and how it is treated:
Psychology Today – “10 Faulty Thoughts That Occur in Body Dysmorphic Disorder”
Mayo Clinic – “Body Dysmorphic Disorder – Symptoms and Causes”
Mental Health America – “Eight Things You Should Know about Body Dysmorphic Disorder”
