Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
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 condition, just like many physical conditions, and it's not your fault.
Seeking help is important because it's unlikely that your symptoms will improve if left untreated, and they may get worse.
You should visit your GP if you think you may have BDD. Initially, they will probably ask a number of questions about your symptoms and how they affect you, such as:
- Do you worry a lot about the way you look and wish you could think about it less?
- What specific concerns do you have about your appearance?
- On a typical day, how many hours is your appearance on your mind?
- What effect does it have on your life?
- Does it make it hard to do your work or be with friends?
If your GP suspects BDD, they can refer you to a mental health specialist for further assessment and any appropriate treatment.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dez 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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