Body Dysmorphic Disorder - Research Paper Example

 Body Dysmorphic Disorder Abstract The essay aims to address a two-fold objective to wit: (1) to research the history and causes of body dysmorphic disorder; and (2) will include the factors that contribute to the development of the disorder according to the Integrative Model. Body Dysmorphic Disorder History Body dysmorphic disorder became evident during the classical times when people highly valued body and appearance as a special object of aesthetic and symbolic inquiry. During those times, writers incorrectly relate disorders and complexes to physical deformity. Several discussions and studies were conducted to gather evidences about too much preoccupation with one’s physical deformity; but, it was only until in late 19th century when Morselli coined the term “dysmorphophobia,” a term derived from the Greek word “dysmorfia” which means a bad body or unattractive (Veale & Neziroglu, 2010, 32). Morselli underwent a lot of trainings and studies since the start of his work on dysmorphophobia. The experiences that Morselli had in private practice enabled him to see what a dysmorphophobic patient is. Morselli moved in Genoa in 1890 and had made an article about dysmorphophobia. In his article, Morselli described dysmorphophobia as a condition which involves sudden appearance and fixation in the consciousness of one’s idea of deformity and fear among an individual that he has become deformed or might become deformed (Veale & Neziroglu, 2010, 32). Thus, Morselli identified dysmorphophobia as both obsession and rudimentary paranoia. Meanwhile, French psychiatrist Janet classified dysmorphophobia as part of the obsessive compulsive neurosis while Dupré explained that the source of fear is derived from disturbance of proprioceptive information. Morselli was the first to introduced dysmorphophobia but he was not credited nor mentioned by Kraepelin, the person who legitimized the term dysmorphophobia and classified it under compulsive neurosis. Causes The exact cause of body dysmorphic disorder remains unknown; however, various researches pointed comorbidity with symptoms of anxiety and depression (Wilmshurst, 2009, 193). People have different perceptions of the causes of body dysmorphic disorder but majority of the studies observed greater numbers in families with history of illness, maternal depression and anxiety, and recent significant stressor. Contributing Factors Using the Integrative Model, Phillips (2009) outlined the possible pathway to the development of body dysmorphic disorder, among of which are the genetic or biological risk factors, social or cultural risk factors and the psychological risk factors (p. 128). Biological. Genetic or biological risk factors include the role of genes, evolutionary influences, certain brain circuitry and regions, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin in the development of body dysmorphic disorder (Phillips, 2009, 128). Genes carrying the personality traits for body dysmorphic disorder may increase the risk of developing the disorder as well as the shared-values of the family with regards to certain illness. Therefore, body dysmorphic disorder is partly genetic. Alterations in brain circuitry and regions are also biological factors responsible for the development of body dysmorphic disorder. People with body dysmorphic disorder have overactive amygdala and limbic system, hypothalamus, cingulate, prefrontal, and somatosensory cortices – all of which are areas of the brain relevant to emotions and feelings (Kearney & Trull, 2012, 146). The hyperactivity of these areas of the brain explains the perception of feeling of bodily changes and experiences which are not actually occurring. In addition, other biological evidences suggest that brain changes in the frontal lobe and right hemisphere explain why somatic complaints are usually on the left side of the body (Kearney & Trull, 2012, 146). Other biological explanations for body dysmorphic disorder includes the role of evolutionary influences (the theory which explains that body dysmorphic disorder developed as an adaptive way of coping with inescapable threats to life or stressors) and the interplay of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Imbalances in the neurotransmitters of the brain such as decreasing serotonin release in the striatum and other key brain areas result in an overactive amygdala and appearance of symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder; dopamine combined with serotonin results in delusional form of body dysmorphic disorder; and abundance of GABA calms other neurotransmitters which contribute to anxious and depressive state of body dysmorphic disorder (Phillips, 2009, 133). Psychological. Psychological risk factors include life events which have significantly affected the person such as teasing, rejection, or maltreatment, personality traits and values, and focus on aesthetics (Phillips, 2009, 128). Early life experiences emphasizing that being physically attractive is important and can lead to success and positive attention might increase the chance of developing body dysmorphic disorder. Frequent teasing is also linked to greater body dissatisfaction as the stress acquired during early life increased the incidence of body dysmorphic disorder. In addition, childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect might increase the risk of the disorder due to dislikes of one’s body and bodily shame. Too much value placed upon looking good or perfect increase the chance of getting body dysmorphic disorder. People with body dysmorphic disorder tend to be perfectionist and always have preoccupation of flaws that dissatisfied their physical appearance. The dissatisfaction of one’s own body resulted from the discrepancy between the actual look and the preoccupation of being ideal or how should they look. Being aesthetically-focused and aesthetically-sensitive also increase the likelihood of developing body dysmorphic disorder. Social/Environmental. Sociocultural or environmental factors include society’s emphasis on appearance, availability of steroids, and cultural influences (Phillips, 2009, 128). Societal beliefs and attitudes and the emphasis placed upon appearance influence the risk for body dysmorphic disorder. One perfect example is the influence of media. Media influence people’s perception of what is being healthy or attractive (Bennett, 2006, 128). Media portray image of attractive women as those of slim models while developing muscles are related to masculinity. Without even considering the differences of perceptions among cultures and the potential impact of dictating what is attractive, media might influence societal beliefs and the population might be at risk to develop body dysmorphic disorder. Meanwhile, environmental risk factors include illness behavior and illness reinforcement. Illness behavior refers to behavior one does when sick while illness reinforcement refers to the secondary gain one received for somatic complaints (Kearney & Trull, 2012, 147). By giving sympathy, attention, and comfort, people with body dysmorphic disorder may believe that it is acceptable by the society to alter one’s physical aspect and be ideal in the eyes of others. Research about Body Dysmorphic Disorder Research from Bjornsson, Didie & Phillips (2010) stated that body dysmorphic disorder is a disorder with increasing prevalence and severity; thus, importance should be given in the early recognition and accurate diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder (p. 229). Despite limited interventional research and data, the available treatment showed improvement of body dysmorphic disorder symtpoms. Very little is known about the topic and many aspects are poorly understood. Researchers hoped that further research will be conducted to correct any misconceptions and improve treatment outcomes. References Bennett, P. (2006). Somatoform Disorders. Abnormal and Clinical Psychology: An Introductory Textbook (2nd ed.) (p. 113-140). New York: Open University Press. Bjornsson, A.S., Didie, E.R. & Phillips, K.A. (2010). Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 12(2): 221-232. Kearney, C.A. & Trull, T.J. (2012). Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders. Abnormal Psychology and Life: A Dimensional Approach (p. 138-169). California: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Phillips, K.A. (2009). What Causes Body Dysmorphic Disorder? Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder: An Essential Guide (p. 127-140). New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. Veale, D. & Neziroglu, F. (2010). History of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Treatment Manual (p. 31-38). Massachusetts: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Wilmshurst, L. (2009). Internalizing Problems: An Introduction. Abnormal Child Psychology: A Developmental Perspective (p. 185-195). New York: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Read More