What Is Body Dysmorphia?
People with body dysmorphia may go to great lengths to hide or improve their "flaws."
Body dysmorphia is a serious mental health condition that usually develops during the adolescent years. It is the hyperfixation of a perceived flaw, and it can cause serious emotional distress. This fixation can lead to a compulsive desire to fix, hide, or examine the flaw.
Body dysmorphia can be linked to other mental health conditions, like depression. Treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or even some medications can help treat this condition. Studies have shown that most people with body dysmorphia can recover, but for some it can be a more chronic issue.
References
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation. (n.d.). Eating disorders.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation. (n.d.). Feelings and symptoms.
Castle, D., et al. (2021). Body dysmorphic disorder: A treatment synthesis and consensus on behalf of the International College of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders and the obsessive compulsive and related disorders network of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology. International Clinical Psychopharmacology.
Greenberg, J. L., et al. (n.d.). How is BDD treated? International OCD Foundation.
International OCD Foundation. (n.d.). Subtypes of BDD.
Ipser, J. C., et al. (2009). Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Krebs, G., et al. (2017). Recent advances in understanding and managing body dysmorphic disorder. Evidence-Based Mental Health.
Mind. (2022). Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
Office on Women’s Health. (2021). Body dysmorphic disorder.
Phillips, K. A. (n.d.). What is BDD (body dysmorphic disorder)? International OCD Foundation.
Phillips, K. A. (n.d.). Who gets BDD? International OCD Foundation.
For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
