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Acne Dysmorphia- Info About This Little Known Condition |
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Billions of people have acne outbreaks in their
lifetime. It’s the most common skin disorder known today. While acne can
be treated medically, acne dysmorphia is a symptom that can be treated
of medications that treat acne. Acne dysmorphia has little to do with
acne at all. It’s a different disorder and is related to anorexia
nervosa. Weight is the trigger for anorexia nervosa, and acne is the
trigger for acne dysmorphia. With this disease, a person is obsessed
with their skin. It isn’t unusual for someone suffering from acne
dysmorphia to check mirrors hundreds of times a day to check for
blemishes. What might be a mild case of acne can make them believe they
are totally disfigured and ugly to look at. It can cause them to pick at
their imperfections and tear away their skin until they bleed.
It’s hard for someone to confide in another person that they have
been caught up in this obsession. Just as it is for those suffering from
anorexia, they are denying the fact they have a problem to everyone,
including him or herself. Depression is also associated with acne
dysmorphia. It can cause patients to isolate themselves, stay away from
other people, and ruin their social life. If it is left untreated, it
could cause the patients to harm themselves.
So, what is the cure
for acne dysmorphia? It’s important to remember that dysmorphia is not
because of the acne but a mental disorder that can become a crippling
disorder. Depression caused by this condition could lead to suicide. The
treatment must start with the mental aspects first. Frustration can
result in suicide if not actively treated.
Acne dysmorphia has
been successfully treated with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and
hypnosis has been effective in treating this disorder. Another form of
treatment is behavioral therapy and has been found to be effective in
treating acne dysmorphia.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a
psychological treatment for many depression related disorders. This
treatment can be group therapy, individual treatment by a psychologist
or psychiatrist and will help patients deal with their problem. Group
therapy sessions with others who suffer from the same problem helps to
be able to talk about your problem freely with others that are in the
same situation. Behavioral therapy might include taking antidepressants
or other medications that will work in conjunction with therapy.
It’s
important to note, individuals must be treated with the type of
treatment that fits them best. Group therapy may not be for someone who
is extremely shy, but it could be for someone who is normally outgoing
and willing to talk about his or her problem. Often, just sharing and
knowing someone else has walked the same path you are walking helps to
overcome the problem. Individual therapy with a trusted professional can
work wonders especially if medication is used with the treatment.
Learning to thing positively and helping achieve a better self-esteem
can be a huge help in treating this type of mental illness.
Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy can help you resist the negative thought patterns
that can disrupt your life. This therapy can help you to reframe your
negative thoughts into positive affirmations of your worth. It is so
important to relegate these negative impressions into the back of your
mind and change them into positive reinforcements. This might take a
while but it can be done. This therapy works for those with depression
or other mental problems and it can work with those suffering from acne
dysmorphia.
If you feel you or a loved one has a problem with
acne dysmorphia, get them to a qualified professional. Ignoring the
problem is not an option and could cause the person to do harm to him or
herself.
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