What we treat

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is the experience of excessive focus and worry about one or more perceived flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others.

But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations.

When you have BDD, you may repeatedly check the mirror, groom or seek reassurance, sometimes for many hours each day.

Your perceived flaw and the repetitive behaviours cause you significant distress, and impact your ability to function in your daily life.

Most people with BDD who receive therapy finish feeling better and more able to manage their symptoms.

Variations

The most common features people tend to fixate about include:

• Face, such as nose, complexion, wrinkles, acne and other blemishes

• Hair, such as appearance, thinning and baldness

• Skin and vein appearance

• Breast size

• Muscle size and tone

• Genitalia

A preoccupation with your body build being too small or not muscular enough (muscle dysmorphia) occurs almost exclusively in males.

Insight about BDD varies. You may recognise that your beliefs about your perceived flaws may be excessive or not be true, or think that they probably are true, or be absolutely convinced that they're true.

The more convinced you are of your beliefs, the more distress and disruption you may experience in your life.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of BDD may include:

• Being extremely preoccupied with a perceived flaw in appearance that to others can't be seen or appears minor

• Strong belief that you have a defect in your appearance that makes you ugly or deformed

• Belief that others take special notice of your appearance in a negative way or mock you

• Engaging in behaviours aimed at fixing or hiding the perceived flaw that are difficult to resist or control, such as frequently checking the mirror, grooming or skin picking

• Attempting to hide perceived flaws with styling, makeup or clothes

• Constantly comparing your appearance with others

• Frequently seeking reassurance about your appearance from others

• Having perfectionist tendencies

• Seeking cosmetic procedures with little satisfaction

• Avoiding social situations

These symptoms may cause difficulties in day-to-day activities such as work, studying, social activities or relationships with others.

Other struggles

Read more about the other difficulties we treat:

Stress

Depression

Worrying lots about different things

Illness anxiety

Flashbacks or nightmares of a trauma

Obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviours

Social anxiety

Specific phobias

Panic attacks

Loss or bereavement

Expressing anger

Problems in relationships

Talking therapy

If you could be struggling with BDD, read about the talking therapies we offer to see how they could help you. You may also like to read some feedback and encouragements by those who received therapy with us.

Self-help resources

Be sure to check out our useful section of self-help resources for wellbeing.

Employment advice

Alongside therapy our Employment Team can help you find employment or training, and support you with workplace adjustments or disputes.