acne dysmorphia

dana · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 161

I need help. I think my roommate, and a good friend, has acne dysmorphia. I never took her seriously when she was complaining about her skin and acne. She truly has acne, but in very mild form, and acne that are seen only in certain light. I am sure in time, or with a proper treatment they would disappear. Anyway, she is making all worse. She gets acne mostly before her periods, during the rest of the month, her skin does not have any breakouts itself. The problem is with her: she squeezes acne, which is btw not ‘ready’ to be squeezed to the point she starts bleeding and makes herself a wound on her face. Cases like that are non stop on her schedule. Not to mention how she feels about her skin. She truly doesn’t have beautiful silky skin, but there are many other much worse cases out there with cystic acne for example, or scarring. I think if she would let go scarring and perhaps visit beautician or dermatologist, her acne would disappear and she would be alright in a matter of a year.
Ok, so how to deal with this problem? I do love my friend and I can’t watch her hurting herself. I read about acne dysmorphia, which is illness, I think she has, similar to anorexia, I mean on same mental level, person is not even aware it has acne dysmorphia. I am not sure how to approach her with the fact she might have acne dysmorphia, or at least worn her about that. Besides I am not sure what to do after she faces with certain facts. What is the treatment for acne dysmorphia?
I appreciate every response and thank you in advance!

karma · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 269

Hello Dana!
For start- are you sure she has acne dysmorphia? Does she has all the symptoms? (depression, constant checking her skin, squeezing non-existing pimples…)
I think best would be to face her with acne dysmorphia through a talk. Do not judge her or anything- explain her you are on her side, and you don’t want her to hurt herself. Just be gentle. I think it is best to tell her at your home, since it is both hers and yours most ‘natural’ territory, where you both (at least I assume) can best express your feelings, and don’t have to mind the looks from people…
It would be also wise to seek for professional help- visit a doctor, dermatologist, and ask what the method to tell a person is … Anyway, since acne dysmorphia is illness based on mental level, I think you as a friend, should know better than a doctor who never met her.
When treating acne dysmorphia, not acne themselves are treated, but underlying causes for acne dysmorphia behavior. Thus, acne are treated as consequence, they are secondary in acne dysmorphia. First level problem is behavior. People with acne dysmorphia can be depressed, this is why most often treatment is performed with a help of psychiatrist.
I hope this helped a little, I still think it would be wise to consult ether dermatologist or even better psychiatrist, since they can at least give a few professional advices how to deal with bringing up the problem. Remember, acne dysmorphia is a complex problem, and it is NOT your task to deal with it! It is a matter of good will and a good friendship to face your friend with problems she might have, but once you do that, there are doctors, that will help her, and of course friends and family, but for emotional support only! Do not try to play doctors! Leave that to people who have studied cases like this.
Take care!
Karma