Body Dysmorphic Disorder Plastic Surgery Addiction

Body dysmorphic disorder is a common co occurring disorder with plastic surgery addiction.

Body dysmorphic disorder plastic surgery addiction. According to canice e. Plastic surgery addiction while not a diagnosable condition seems to exist alongside body dysmorphic disorder a mental illness defined in the dsm 5 as preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others. In general those with body dysmorphic disorder undergo cosmetic surgery procedures but as these will never fix the perceived defect they are always at risk for developing a plastic surgery addiction. Many researchers have found that the majority of people who are addicted to plastic surgery also suffer from co occurring bdd.

People with bdd often feel driven to undergo excessive multiple procedures. Many people hope to avoid surgery unless medically necessary but for some. This does not mean that anyone who ever has a cosmetic operation has a psychological problem but in many cases body dysmorphic disorder is likely a contributor to addiction to plastic surgery. Body dysmorphic disorder is a rare psychiatric condition that is characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or small defect in one s appearance.

Crerand phd psychologist in the division of plastic surgery at the children s hospital of philadelphia. Plastic surgery addiction is often a symptom of body dysmorphic disorder and requires psychiatric care. Research has shown that the condition is 15 times more likely to be present in plastic surgery patients.