From compulsive grooming to social withdrawal, body dysmorphic disorder affects more than just appearance.
In a world that endorses immaculate appearances and perfect proportions as the ideal body type, image can be everything.
Which means that, like it or not, having body insecurities isn’t an uncommon experience for many of us.
The problem arises when this insecurity goes beyond the occasional disdainful inspection in the mirror, to become an unhealthy preoccupation that can take over your daily life.
For those with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), this struggle is their reality.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Physical Insecurities, Mental Crippling
For many of us, it can be relatively easy to acknowledge that no body is perfect.
But if you have BDD, perfection is constantly strived for, yet painfully impossible—and that’s largely due to your mindset.
BDD is characterised by an obsessive fixation with any perceived flaws in your physical appearance, and this can cover any part of your body, including your skin, hair, body composition, genitalia, and even something as trifling as the visibility of your veins.
However, these flaws tend to go unnoticed by others.
Regardless, it doesn’t change how much you look down on these “defects” of yours, and your diminished self-esteem will drive you to behave in extreme ways to deal with the anxiety.
This ranges from constant mirror-checking (unless you find your image so disagreeable that you steer clear of mirrors altogether), to excessive grooming to “camouflage” or “correct” any imperfections (to the point that you’ll even seek out cosmetic surgery).
It can even involve an exorbitant need for reassurance from your peers because of your extensive self-doubts, to an avoidance of social situations because of your fear of being judged. Beyond just impacting your confidence and relationships, BDD could also take a hit on your school and work performance, as you’ve fed all your mental capacity to your concerns.
Even worse, chances are that those with BDD could also have other mental health conditions, such as eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even substance use disorders.
But, as the saying goes, we’re only human—and that’s just an age-old, compact way of saying that we know we’re naturally riddled with flaws.
So what could foster us to think that these very normal, sometimes even imagined flaws are so deplorable that we need to hurt ourselves to get rid of them?
How Might We Develop Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
While it’s definite that BDD can promote excessive behaviours, its causes are still a bit of a mystery.
Some studies posit that a genetic component is at play, so if someone in your family has it, it could explain why you do too. Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism and aesthetic sensitivity, could also contribute to this disorder.
Those with a history of trauma, including bullying and childhood abuse, might also be more likely to develop BDD.
Social media, unsurprisingly, can also play a huge role. This can be largely attributed to the type of content commonly found on it, and how the online community typically discusses visual appeal.
Was anyone else’s body dysmorphia heavily influenced by seeing how incredibly cruel people are towards appearances on the internet?
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In particular, posts by celebrities and influencers we follow can have a lot of sway on the way we perceive ourselves.
However, according to Dr Jared Ng, a Psychiatrist from Connections MindHealth, we need to keep in mind that the pictures posted are likely to be “very edited, very curated, and idealised”.
“A lot of times when we look at these videos and pictures of celebrities, we tend to compare ourselves with them. Our life situation, our appearance. And that can certainly have an effect on our self-esteem and our self-worth as well,” he added.
Essentially, when a standardised idea of perfection is constantly shoved into our consciousness, it normalises that standard, and makes us believe that any differences we see should be conformed or erased following these unspoken community guidelines.
After all, we generally don’t become aware of such faults until someone else points them out for us. And once we learn of them, fixing them becomes all we can think about.
Coping With Imperfection
A lot of people with BDD may not actually realise they have this condition, partly because it can occasionally be misunderstood as a reflection of their narcissism or vanity.
Nevertheless, due to its potential in inducing self-harm, professional treatment is crucial for those suffering from this illness.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a particularly effective way to alleviate the symptoms of BDD, because it helps them identify and challenge negative notions regarding their appearance, allowing them to view themselves in a more positive and grounded way. It also enables them to better manage any excessive behaviours or urges.
Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a type of antidepressant, may also be prescribed.
Importantly, as someone with BDD, finding methods to build up your self-esteem can go a long way towards safeguarding your overall wellbeing. This may involve:
- Social Support: Join a peer support group for those with BDD, or spend more time with family and friends who can uplift you. They’ll bring you comfort and help you understand that you’re not alone.
- Mindfulness Techniques: Practice meditation or deep-breathing exercises to help manage your stress and clear any mental clutter.
- Positive Affirmations: Note down positive thoughts and statements to help bolster your confidence.
And if you happen to know someone recovering from BDD, be patient and supportive as they undergo this healing process. When complimenting them, focus on strengths unrelated to any physical aspects, such as skills or qualities, and try not to get pulled into reassuring them about their appearance. Remind them that they’re more than what they look like.
In the end, beauty is subjective, so there’s no need for you to fit someone else’s ideals.
Simply have the courage to believe that you’re uniquely perfect just the way you are.
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External References
- Clarke, J. (2024, September 9). Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Verywell Mind. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/signs-symptoms-and-treatment-of-body-dysmorphic-disorder-4153269
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023, January 11). Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9888-body-dysmorphic-disorder
- Davis, K. (2024, January 22). What’s to know about body dysmorphic disorder. Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309254
- Dorwart, L. (2025, March 24). Body Dysmorphia: Symptoms, Examples, and How to Help. Verywell Health. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/body-dysmorphia-5272235
- Evans, J. R. (2022, February 10). What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)? Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/body-dysmorphic-disorder
- HealthXchange. (n.d.) When No Body Looks Perfect. Retrieved from: https://www.healthxchange.sg/news/when-no-body-looks-perfect
- Krebs, G., Fernández de la Cruz, L., & Mataix-Cols, D. (2017). Recent advances in understanding and managing body dysmorphic disorder. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 20(3), 71–75. Retrieved from: https://mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/20/3/71
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, December 13). Body dysmorphic disorder. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353938
- Schieber, K., Kollei, I., de Zwaan, M., Müller, A., & Martin, A. (2013). Personality traits as vulnerability factors in body dysmorphic disorder. Psychiatry Research, 210(1), 242–246. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178113003259
