Body Dysmorphia Screening
In my work as an aesthetic practitioner, I meet people from all walks of life, each of whom has their own unique motivations and reasons for seeking treatment. I believe that all aesthetic practitioners have a responsibility to their patients, which is why we have opted to implement body dysmorphia screening here at the clinic.
What is Body Dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition which can cause a person to spend a significant amount of time focusing on body image and what they wholeheartedly believe to be flaws or imperfections in their appearance.
Notably, these perceived flaws are typically unnoticeable to other people, however, they can cause a great amount of distress to the person experiencing these concerns and affect everyday life in myriad ways, including impacting a person's social life, work life, and personal relationships.
What Are the Symptoms of Body Dysmorphia?
People with BDD often worry about a specific area of their body, with the face being the most common area of concern. Many people experiencing body dysmorphia engage in repetitive behaviours, compulsions or practices as a way to assuage some of the anxiety they are experiencing, such as repeatedly seeking reassurance from others.
Additionally, people experiencing BDD will spend a lot of time comparing themselves with others, either avoid mirrors or spend a lot of time looking at themselves in the mirror, and may put a lot of effort into concealing their perceived flaws, such as spending a lot of time selecting an outfit, applying make-up or brushing their hair.
What is Body Dysmorphia Screening?
The number of people seeking aesthetic treatments has increased over the past decade, and social media has undoubtedly played a significant role in this rise. Responsible aesthetic practitioners seek to improve the overall well-being of their patients, and the fact of the matter is that cosmetic treatments are not the answer for every patient.
Body dysmorphia screening provides us with the opportunity to establish a connection with each of our patients, ensuring that we understand the motivations behind their decision to seek treatment and can determine whether a particular treatment is suitable. This process is designed to create a sense of trust and ensure that proceeding with treatments won't ultimately be doing any harm.
What are the Implications of Not Being Screened for Body Dysmorphia?
Without proper screening and consultation practices in place, it is impossible to ensure that treatments are suitable for patients and that going ahead with treatments and procedures won't add to a person's concerns about their appearance in the long term or negatively impact their sense of well-being.
Additionally, there are a number of other comorbidities associated with body dysmorphia, including major depression, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance abuse. There are several treatment options available to people experiencing body dysmorphia, and with screening practices in place, aesthetic practitioners can help to signpost people to the correct services who will be able to provide appropriate support and treatment to significantly improve a person's sense of well-being.
Why Have We Implemented Body Dysmorphia Screening?
Research illustrates that body dysmorphia is an underdiagnosed mental health condition, and aesthetic practitioners are more likely than any other practitioner to interact with people experiencing the symptoms and distress associated with BDD. Some studies cite that more than 13% of patients seeking aesthetic treatments were experiencing signs and symptoms of bodydysmorphia.
Notably, studies also highlight that aesthetic treatments in people with body dysmorphia rarely lead to successful outcomes. So, as aesthetic practitioners, we have a duty of care to our patients, and it is extremely important to us that patient safety and sound ethics underpin everything we do here at the clinic.
If you have any further questions about our new screening practices or general queries, please don't hesitate to connect with our friendly team, who are always available to help and advise.
