Unhealthy
Obsession with Appearance:
When Surgery is not Advisable
CHA team members also work with individuals
who are obsessed about their appearance, unhealthily
so. Team psychologists work with patients who
may have psychiatric disorders such as anorexia
or bulimia -- eating disorders caused by an intense
preoccupation with body weight. They also work
with individuals with a condition called body
dysmorphic disorder -- an obsession with an imagined
or slight appearance defect that leads to significant
preoccupation in daily functioning.
These disorders can cause severe distress to
the people they affect and to their families,
as well as permanent physical damage, says Dr.
Sarwer. In extreme cases, they can cause death,
most often by suicide. “If you think you or someone you know
might have an unhealthy preoccupation with appearance,
please ask your doctor for help or referral to
a mental health professional with experience
in this area.”
Center for Human Appearance psychologists are
available to diagnose and treat body dysmorphic
disorder. Other University of Pennsylvania specialists
can help with eating disorders.
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