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The Perfect Imperfection
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
Self-esteem: The development of BDD robs you of self-esteem because it can make you feel as though you are alone with this problem, and no one else will understand you. While friends are progressing nicely with their esteem, a girl with BDD may feel like she is many steps behind her friends
Body/System Growth and Development: By starving, overeating or purging food, and abuse of laxatives, etc., a preteen or teen will severely harm the body, especially the brain, liver, heart, kidneys, stomach and throat. In addition, the onset of puberty, menstruation and naturally growing up may be slowed down.
Personal Relations: You don't want to feel close to anyone when you have BDD – everyone seems to be perfect while you're stuck battling the demons in your head.
Family Relations: Oftentimes a family member will want to fix or "heal" the teen. However, a teen suffering from BDD won't get better until they want to get to better and ask for help. Families can be severely affected by BDD because they do not always understand it is a legitimate problem, and their attempts to help may push the teen away even further.
Activities of interest: A teen with BDD will not always feel up to pursuing activities and interests outside of the disorder. This is one reason why the disorder is so serious, so disturbing and so urgent – it can literally rob a preteen or teen of these years.