London cosmetic medic Dr Michael Prager said he has seen more and more cases of fellow practitioners becoming “unrecognisable” themselves from having work done and may not recognise when enough is enough for themselves, or their patients.
He added that people may end up looking “rather weird” if treated with Botox by someone suffering with BDD.
A survey — thought to be the first of its kind — found BDD was higher among aesthetic practitioners than patients.
The data found aesthetic nurses had the highest rate of the disorder in a self-selected survey of 51 practitioners.
The authors, London-based Dr Steven Harris and Dr Neetu Johnson, also noted that an increasing number of practitioners were appearing with “exaggerated facial features” as a result of Botox and fillers.
Speaking to the BBC, Dr Prager said: “I don’t sell happiness. I sell a medical treatment by definition, with possibly a beneficial cosmetic side effect.
“They want to fix an internal problem with an external change, which for me is obviously not something I would even want to go into.”
What is Body Dysmorphia Disorder?
The NHS labels BDD as a mental health condition that sees a person spend “a lot of time” worrying about perceived flaws in their looks. The flaws are often not there, or completely unnoticeable to others.
People of any age, and any sex, can suffer with BDD but it is most commonly seen in teens and young adults.
The NHS says: “Having BDD does not mean you’re vain or self-obsessed. It can be very upsetting and have a big impact on your life.”
What are the symptoms of Body Dysmorphia Disorder?
The NHS states that people with BDD may:
- worry a lot about a specific area of your body (particularly their face)
- spend a lot of time comparing their looks with other people’s
- look at themselves in mirrors a lot or avoid mirrors altogether
- go to a lot of effort to conceal ‘flaws’ — for example, by spending a long time combing their hair, applying make-up, or choosing clothes
- pick at their skin to make it “smooth”
BDD can seriously affect your daily life, including your work, social life, and relationships.
Experts say in extreme cases, extreme BDD can also lead to depression, self-harm, and even thoughts of suicide.
What are the treatments for Body Dysmorphia Disorder?
People who believe they are suffering with BDD are encouraged to see a GP as soon as possible, as there are treatments that can be successful if it is caught early on.
Treatments offered on the NHS include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), which tries to teach patients how to think and see things in more positive ways and, in some cases, anti-depressants are prescribed.
What causes Body Dysmorphia Disorder?
Because of the complexities with BDD, and the individuality of cases between patients, it is not known exactly what causes BDD, but experts believe it may be associated with:
- genetics — you may be more likely to develop BDD if you have a relative with BDD, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or depression
- a chemical imbalance in the brain
- a traumatic experience in the past — you may be more likely to develop BDD if you were teased, bullied, or abused when you were a child
Where can I get help for Body Dysmorphia Disorder?
People suffering should see a GP, but there are a number of charities and organisations that can help.
The BDD Association has a number of useful links and a chatline for support, with treatments and help offered solely to those affected with BDD.
Other charities include Anxiety UK, Mind, and OCD UK.
