Most people have probably thought at some point that there are things about their appearance they’d like to change. If you suffer from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), sometimes referred to as dysmorphophobia, thoughts about your appearance are more pronounced and have an extremely adverse effect on your life. Body dysmorphic disorder is a condition that needs treatment and help is available.
If you have body dysmorphic disorder, you have many negative thoughts about your appearance. These thoughts take up a great deal of your time and have a huge impact on your life. You perhaps have difficulty accepting some part of your body, such as not liking the shape of your chin or being uncomfortable with your body hair or the shape of your breasts. You may even feel that your entire body is wrong. What you think is wrong with your appearance is usually nothing other people notice, but for you it can be a major source of anxiety, shame and suffering.
There are different causes of body dysmorphic disorder. It can be due to genetic factors, personality traits, early experiences, stress, trauma or cultural ideals. While there’s often no single cause, there may be several underlying factors affecting how you perceive your appearance.
Body dysmorphic disorder can make it difficult for you to function in everyday life. Problems with studies, work or relationships are common. You may also feel down, lonely or disheartened. Many people also suffer from anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
You spend a great deal of time thinking about your appearance and trying to do something about what you think is wrong. You may, for example:
You’re not alone in having body dysmorphic disorder. Many other people who feel the same as you have been helped to feel better.
The most common treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy, CBT, which is a form of talking therapy. CBT helps you confront and challenge the negative thoughts and feelings you have about your appearance. You’ll be helped to accept your appearance and learn how to manage your anxiety and reduce the behaviours that impact your wellbeing. In some cases, medication may also be an option for treating body dysmorphic disorder.
Contact the 1177 healthcare advice service in your area to find out which treatments are available.
Reviewed by: David Clinton, associate professor at Karolinska Institutet, psychologist, psychotherapist and psychoanalyst.
Last edited 2024-05-10