Dysmorphia and Cosmetic Surgery: Can They Coexist?

Probably the only industry that isn't suffering these days, elective cosmetic surgery is exploding at an unprecedented rate, fueled by the media and feeding on people's insecurities. Procedures like breast augmentation are becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the country, with studies projecting that 17% of the country will have had an operation by 2015.  Regardless of your personal views on cosmetic surgery,  a growing portion of these patients have a potentially dangerous mental disorder known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder, which if not screened out by plastic surgeons, can lead to excessive plastic surgeries and declining mental health. 

BDD is a disorder that affects a relatively small demographic, but its propensity to lead people into undergoing operations to help reach their ideal appearances is what makes it so dangerous. One such study consisted of 200 test subjects, all of whom were previously diagnosed with BDD.  21% had already received elective cosmetic procedures, and 31% sought out potential procedures. In a follow up study a year later, nearly all of them continued to have BDD symptoms, and some actually developed new preoccupations with their appearance.  In a separate survey, it was found that roughly 8% of patients who receive cosmetic surgery have BDD, and 65% of surgeons reported performing cosmetic procedures on patients with BDD.  Even more depressingly, less than one percent of these cases resulted in improved symptoms of BDD. 

Not only is plastic surgery a BDD magnet, but it is known to create appearance preoccupations in otherwise "normal" people as well.  However, more studies are needed to determine the frequency of people whom develop the disorder as a side effect of an operation.  The damaging effects of BDD can also can hurt more than just yourself, since according to Dr. Phillips, a professor at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, there have been "reports of lawsuits and occasionally violence perpetrated by persons with BDD towards physicians, [and] have led some to believe that BDD is a contraindication for cosmetic treatment." 

Although less than 10% of people are diagnosed with BDD, you never know if a simple breast implant procedure could cause you to develop the disorder.  If you think you may have BDD, be sure to be screened by an actual psychotherapist, and not just the plastic surgeon.