Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder, which involves a disturbed body image. It is generally diagnosed of those who are extremely critical of their physique or self image, despite the fact there may be no noticeable disfigurement or defect.

Most people wish they could change or improve some aspect of their physical appearance, but people suffering from BDD, generally considered of normal appearance, believe that they are so unspeakably hideous that they are unable to interact with others or function normally for fear of ridicule and humiliation at their appearance. They tend to be very secretive and reluctant to seek help because they are afraid others will think them vain or or they may feel too embarrassed to do so.

Ironically BDD is often misunderstood as a vanity driven obsession, whereas it is quite the opposite; people with BDD believe themselves to be profoundly ugly or defective.

BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects which has linked it to the OCD spectrum disorders among psychologists. People with BDD may engage in compulsive mirror checking behaviors or mirror avoidance, typically think about their appearance for more than one hour a day and in severe cases may drop all social contact and responsibilities as they become homebound. The disorder is linked to an unusually high suicide rate among all mental disorders.

The following criteria must be met in order to receive a definite diagnosis for Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

a) The patient is preoccupied with an imagined defect of appearance or is excessively concerned
about a slight physical anomaly;

b) This preoccupation causes clinically important distress or impairs work, social or
personal functioning;

c) Another mental disorder (such as Anorexia Nervosa) does not better explain the preoccupation.

Symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder include:

Compulsive mirror checking, glancing in reflective doors, windows and other reflective surfaces.

Alternatively, an inability to look at ones own reflection or photographs of oneself; often the removal
of mirrors from the home.

Compulsive skin-touching, especially to measure or feel the perceived defect.

Compulsive hair-pulling (trichotillomania).

Reassurance seeking from loved ones.

Social withdrawal and co-morbid depression.

Obsessive viewing of favorite celebrities or models the person suffering from BDD may wish
to resemble.

Excessive grooming behaviors: combing hair, plucking eyebrows, shaving, etc.

Obsession with plastic surgery or multiple plastic surgery with little satisfactory results for
the patient.

In obscure cases patients have performed plastic surgery on themselves, including liposuction
and various implants with disastrous results.

A German study has shown that between 1-2% of the population meet all the diagnostic criteria of BDD, with a larger percentage showing milder symptoms of the disorder. Chronically low self-esteem is characteristic of those with BDD due to their value of oneself being so closely linked with their perceived appearance. The prevalence of BDD is equal in men and women, and causes chronic social anxiety for those suffering from the disorder.

Phillips & Menard (2006) found the completed suicide rate in patients with BDD to be 45 times higher than in the general US population. This rate is more than double that of those with depression and three times as high as those with bipolar disorder. There has also been a suggested link between undiagnosed BDD and a higher than average suicide rate among people who have undergone cosmetic surgery.

Effective Anxiety Treatment Solutions
60 Second Online Anxiety Test
Anxiety Facts and Statistics