Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
When does low confidence turn into BDD?
Almost everyone feels unhappy about the way they look at some point in their life, but these thoughts usually come and go, and can be forgotten.
However, for someone with BDD, the thoughts are very distressing, do not go away and have a significant impact on daily life.
The person believes they are ugly or defective and that other people perceive them in this way, despite reassurances from others about their appearance.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to have a distorted view of how they look and to spend a lot of time worrying about their appearance.
When does low confidence turn into BDD?
Almost everyone feels unhappy about the way they look at some point in their life, but these thoughts usually come and go, and can be forgotten. However, for someone with BDD, the thoughts are very d
Who is affected
It's estimated that up to one in every 100 people in the UK may have BDD, although this may be an underestimate as people with the condition often hide it from others. BDD has been found to affec
Typical behaviours of someone with BDD
BDD can seriously affect daily life, often affecting work, social life and relationships. A person with BDD may: constantly compare their looks to other people's spend a long time in front of a mi
What causes BDD?
The cause of BDD is not clear. It may be genetic or caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Past life experiences may play a role too for example, BDD may be more common in people who were tease
Getting help
People with BDD are often reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed or embarrassed. However, if you have BDD, there is nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. It is a long-term health co
Treating BDD
With treatment, many people with BDD will experience an improvement in their symptoms. The specific treatments recommended for you will depend on how severely BDD affects your daily life. If you hav
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