| Glossary
of BDD Terms |
Here,
you will find an ever growing list of terms that are related to
Body Dysmorphic Disorder. If you don't understand something on this
site, please refer to this list, and hopefully you will find a definition
for what you are looking for. Since little has been written on the
disorder, our support group has come up with quite a few original
words. If you would like any terms added to this list of definitions,
please email your suggestions to: brit@bddcentral.com.
|
| BDD |
Acronym
for Body Dysmorphic Disorder |
| BDDer |
A person with BDD |
| BDD
Attack |
When
a person with BDD is so overwhelmed with feelings of self-hatred,
they can no longer function properly. Suicide is often considered
at this time. BDD attacks eventually pass, and can be followed by
normal functioning, or a BDD episode |
| BDD
Episode |
A
BDD episode occurs when a person with BDD is having a day filled
with self doubt, comparing themselves to others, and constantly
worrying and filled with anxiety |
| Compulsions |
An irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of
the motivation |
| Delusional |
A
false belief strongly held in spite of invalidating evidence, especially
as a symptom of mental illness |
| Dysmorphophobia |
An
alternate name for BDD. It was the original name of the disorder |
| Imagined
Ugliness Syndrome |
A
nickname sometimes used when referring to BDD |
| Katharine
Phillips |
One
of the leading authorities researching BDD. She has also written
a book on the disorder called, The Broken Mirror |
| Mirror
Checking |
Behavior
often preformed by a person with BDD. They may sit in front of a
mirror for a varying length of time, observing features, picking
at skin, touching features, etc. |
| NonBDDer |
A
person that does not have BDD |
| Obsessions |
A
compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion. People with BDD
are usually obsessed with an imperfection in appearance |
| OCD |
Acronym
for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Many believe that this disorder
may be closely linked with BDD |
| Rituals |
A
detailed method of procedure faithfully or regularly followed. Two
common BDD rituals are checking one's reflection in a reflective
surface, or skin picking |
| SSRI |
Acronym
for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. It is a class of drugs,
such as fluoxetine or sertraline, that inhibit the uptake of serotonin
by neurons of the central nervous system and are primarily used
in the treatment of depression and obsessive compulsive disorder,
as well as BDD |
| Trichotillomania |
The compulsion to tear
or pluck out the hair on one's head and face and often to ingest
it. Many people with BDD find that they also have trichotillomania |
Some definitions were taken from the following source: The American
Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by Houghton
Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
