You At Your Best

SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Come spend your summer at the Fayetteville Senior Activity and Wellness Center at 945 S. College in Fayetteville. Seniors 60 and older are welcome Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are activities and programs for every Senior. Come enjoy one of our 24 weekly wellness classes, including Silver Sneakers, Yoga, Fun to be Fit, Pilates, Floor Exercise, Foundation Training, and others. Or come try out our new Drums Alive Exercise class starting in June! Come join us Tuesday or Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. for Beginner and Intermediate Line Dancing. Our Instructor teaches new dances every day and incorporates all different types of music. A recent study by neuroscientists concluded that line dancing is the number one activity that seniors can engage in for memory, physical fitness, and overall well- being. After you're done dancing and exercising, enjoy a home-cooked lunch and great conversation in our large dining area. Hop on the van and take one of four or five day trips every month. Previous trips include Oaklawn, the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, the Casino, shopping at Pinnacle, the Buffalo River, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and many others. Improve your pool skills on one of our three pool tables, and then enter our Tuesday Pool Tournaments. Come listen to live music every Friday at 9:30, and also make plans to come out on the second Tuesday of every month from 5:30-8 p.m. for our evening dinner and dance. Bingo!!! Every Monday and Thursday morning come try your luck at bingo and win a prize! Come play Canasta and Dominos on Thursday afternoons, or come Wednesday to join our Prayer Shawl group or Water Colors class. Need us to come get you? No problem, we offer Taxi Service throughout the Fayetteville area to bring you to the center or take you to your appointments at other locations. There is something for everyone at the Fayetteville Senior Activity and Wellness Center! Fayetteville Senior Center has something for everyone METRO CREATIVE SERVICES People from all walks of life may have something about their appearances that upsets them. While many people learn to embrace their bodies, some develop body image problems that can lead to depression and anxiety. Body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, is a psychological condition that causes delusions about one's outward appearance. While people with BDD may have delusions about any part of their bodies, many people with BDD have problems with parts of their face, their ears or the shape of their head. Preoccupation with these features can be so intense that it's difficult for sufferers to see beyond their delusions. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, BDD may be triggered by a slight physical imperfection. But to those with the condition, the flaw is perceived to be prominent — causing severe emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning. BDD is not exclusive to women, as it affects nearly as many men as women. Research found that, among 188 subjects, BDD diagnosis was relatively equal among women and men (49 and 51 percent, respectively). Women with BDD were found to be more preoccupied with skin, weight and their hip size, while the men studied were concerned about thinning hair, body build and genital appearance. BDD usually develops in adolescence, says the BDD Foundation. This is a time when people become more sensitive about their appearances. Recognizing the symptoms of BDD can help a person get help more quickly, which can potentially head off harmful behavior, including suicide attempts. The following are some of the more common symptoms of BDD, according to ADAA: • camouflaging (with body position, clothing, makeup, hair, hats, etc.) • comparing body parts to others' appearance • seeking surgery • checking in a mirror • avoiding mirrors • skin picking • grooming excessively • exercising excessively • changing clothes excessively Those with BDD also may experience symptoms similar to those experienced by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder or social anxiety disorder. In many instances, people with BDD may suffer from a combination of mental health disorders. There are some effective treatments for BDD. Such treatments include cognitive- behavioral therapy, or CBT, which teaches patients to recognize and change negative thinking patterns. Antidepressant medications may be prescribed as well. People who suspect they or a loved one is suffering from BDD should first visit their general practitioners. Social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists may also help people with BDD. Body dysmorphic disorder a reality for many women SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2018 | JUNE - MENTAL HEALTH NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 15

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