Whether you have only recently learned that you have Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) or you know someone with this condition, you’ll find information on here to keep you updated with developments in the treatment field, including medical research and health news. Our ongoing dialogue with our customers enables us to keep providing you with information and support. Look out for our quarterly newsletter (sign up on the left menu) and articles from leading experts in the field. You can find general health information in our Newsroom, where you’ll find our news releases, articles and media cuttings archive.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), also known as dysmorphophobia, is a psychiatric disorder consisting of a distressing and impairing preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance. There is a high degree of association with other psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. BDD, however, is characterised by an unusually exaggerated degree of worry or concern about a specific part of the face or body, rather than the general size or shape of the body. Whilst BDD has been shown to be a relatively common disorder, it can go unrecognised as the patient is often secretive about their distress. The causes of BDD fall into two major categories – neurobiological and psychosocial. With regard to the psychosocial element, the role of advertising in spreading images of physically ‘perfect’ men and women is thought to influence impressionable individuals, leading to a distorted perception of their own faces and bodies.

It appears that patients diagnosed with BDD have serotonin levels that are lower than normal, indicating a neurobiological role. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which helps to transmit nerve impulses across the junctions between nerve cells. Low serotonin levels are also associated with depression and other mood disorders. BDD is considered to be a rare condition but it is believed that as much as 1% of the general population may be affected, with teenage girls more susceptible than other groups.

Given that low levels of serotonin are associated with BDD, the treatment is similar to that of depressive disorder and anxiety, usually involving the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), most commonly fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft). The doses required to be effective are often much higher than that used to treat depression, although there appears to be a high rate of positive responses to SSRIs among BDD patients. This supports the theory that this disorder has a neurobiological component related to serotonin levels in the body.

The omega-3 fatty acid EPA works by elevating serotonin levels in a similar way to that of SSRIs. Recent research has confirmed that pure EPA derived from fish oil is as effective as fluoxetine (Prozac) for the serotonin increase, also making it an effective treatment for the management of BDD, without associated side effects.

With its high EPA content we recommend Vegepa at 8 capsules daily for a period of 3 months. This can then be reduced by 2 capsules weekly to a final maintenance dose of 2 capsules daily.
For children we recommend Vegepa Chewables. Children of ten and over may take 6 capsules daily for a period of 3 months. This can then be reduced by 2 capsules weekly to a final maintenance dose of 2 capsules daily.

For vegetarians, our Echiomega supplement provides a more effective solution than flaxseed oil, with higher conversion to the important long-chain fatty acid EPA.