What is somatic disorder?

Somatic disorder is a mental disorder that is easily recognized by the patient's excessive attention to defects related to appearance. Long-term illness can cause serious complications, so early treatment is essential to minimize the risk.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a recognizable mental disorder in which a person is preoccupied with a bogus physical defect or a minor defect that is invisible to others. As a result, people with this disorder consider themselves "ugly" and often avoid social contact or turn to plastic surgery to try to improve their appearance.
BDD shares many of the same features as eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders. BDD is similar to eating disorders in that both involve changes in physical appearance. However, the two conditions differ in that the person with the eating disorder frequently worries about weight and appearance throughout the body, while the person with BDD focuses on a specific part of the body.
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have recurring thoughts, fears, or images (phobias) that they cannot control. The anxiety (nervousness) generated by these thoughts leads to the formation of certain habits. With BDD, when a person is preoccupied with his or her flaws, it leads to certain behaviors such as constantly looking in the mirror or picking at the skin. People with BDD will eventually become obsessed with the impairments that society, work, and family attach.
BDD is a chronic disorder independent of age. The disease usually begins early in the teen or teenage years.
Appearance problems that people with BDD are most concerned about include:
Skin: Including wrinkles, scars, acne Hair: Including hair ends, hair shafts or no hair. Facial features: Primarily involving the nose, but may also involve other locations. Body weight: People with the disease may be obsessive about weight or muscle tone. Size of penis, muscles, breasts, thighs, buttocks Body odor

The exact cause of BDD is unknown. In theory, the disorder involves a problem with the size or function of certain areas of the brain that process information about appearance. In fact, somatic disorder occurs in people with other mental disorders such as depression, anxiety.
Other factors that may influence the development or activation of BDD include:
Experiencing many traumatic events or emotional conflicts in childhood Low self-esteem Receiving a lot of criticism from parents or the people around. Pressure from the environment that values ​​appearance

Some of the warning signs of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) include:
Performing repetitive and time-consuming behaviors such as looking in the mirror, peeling skin, and trying to cover up physical defects Often frequently questioning others about a defect you are focusing on Repeatedly touching a form defect Occurrences problems at work, school, or in relationships due to inability to stop focusing into a visual impairment Feeling low and not wanting to go out in public, or feeling anxious around many people Consult repeatedly with medical professionals, such as a plastic surgeon or dermatologist, to find ways to improve her appearance

Somatoform disorder usually begins during the early teen years and it affects both boys and girls.
Several factors increase the risk of developing or triggering somatic disorder , including:
Having a close relative with somatic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder Negative life experiences such as being bullied childhood teasing, neglect, or abuse Personality traits such as perfectionism Social pressure or beauty perfectionism Experiencing other mental problems such as anxiety or depression

Complications that may be caused by or related to somatic disorder include:
Depression or other mental disorders Suicidal thoughts or behavior Anxiety disorders, including anxiety disorders Social anxiety (social phobia) OCD time

Precautions for somatic disorder are not well defined. However, because somatic disorders often begin during the early teen years, early identification and initiation of treatment can be beneficial. Maintenance and long-term treatment can also help prevent somatic disorders from recurring.

Article references sources: mayoclinic.org, nhs.uk, webmd.com, adaa.org