Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental
health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about
flaws in their appearance. These flaws are often unnoticeable to others.
People of any age can have BDD and it affects anyone of any gender or sex.
Having BDD does not mean you are vain or self-obsessed. It can be very upsetting and have a big impact on your life. Low mood, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, stress, trauma, self-harm and eating disorders are some of the other conditions that can co-occur with BDD.
Some of the symptoms of BDD include:
* worrying a lot about a specific area of your body (particularly your face)
* spending lots of time comparing your looks with other people's
* looking at yourself in mirrors a lot or avoid mirrors altogether
* going to a lot of effort to conceal flaws – e.g. spending a long time combing your hair, applying make-up or choosing clothes
* picking at your skin to make it "smooth"
* avoiding having photographs taken
* avoiding social situations or isolating yourself from other people
* feelings of shame, guilt and loneliness
* misuse of alcohol or other drugs
* suicidal thoughts
It's really important to get some form of help and support for what you are experiencing. Please know that you are not alone and there are various forms of support and people you can take to this about this. Please see the little video below from the BDD Foundation which I hope you find useful, Alexandra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNrxksPbgUg&fbclid=IwAR0_FTjofGBPjrC9Iupj2v3DVM42v8XJhHLltWjUciXI-Pf8oiQe5OaSfcc
People of any age can have BDD and it affects anyone of any gender or sex.
Having BDD does not mean you are vain or self-obsessed. It can be very upsetting and have a big impact on your life. Low mood, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, stress, trauma, self-harm and eating disorders are some of the other conditions that can co-occur with BDD.
Some of the symptoms of BDD include:
* worrying a lot about a specific area of your body (particularly your face)
* spending lots of time comparing your looks with other people's
* looking at yourself in mirrors a lot or avoid mirrors altogether
* going to a lot of effort to conceal flaws – e.g. spending a long time combing your hair, applying make-up or choosing clothes
* picking at your skin to make it "smooth"
* avoiding having photographs taken
* avoiding social situations or isolating yourself from other people
* feelings of shame, guilt and loneliness
* misuse of alcohol or other drugs
* suicidal thoughts
It's really important to get some form of help and support for what you are experiencing. Please know that you are not alone and there are various forms of support and people you can take to this about this. Please see the little video below from the BDD Foundation which I hope you find useful, Alexandra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNrxksPbgUg&fbclid=IwAR0_FTjofGBPjrC9Iupj2v3DVM42v8XJhHLltWjUciXI-Pf8oiQe5OaSfcc
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