What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
8. Complications
While body dysmorphic disorder may not result in any direct physical symptoms, it can be extremely distressing for the patient. This in itself can lead to the patient’s health suffering both physically and mentally. In the more severe cases it can pose a very real threat to the patient’s life.
Picking at the skin can lead to infections, and excessive surgery can lead to disfigurement and pain. Some patients can develop eating disorders and substance abuse can become another problem. They can also develop obsessive compulsive disorder, while anxiety disorders are a possibility. Depression is another possible symptom, and this can lead to the patient taking their own life.
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