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BDD OCD – Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body Dysmorphia

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition involving persistent and intrusive thoughts about perceived flaws in appearance, which may be exaggerated or unnoticed by others. This leads to an obsessive focus on aspects such as skin, hair, or weight, and can result in compulsive behaviours like mirror-checking, excessive grooming, and social avoidance.

BDD significantly disrupts daily life, affecting work, school, and relationships, and often involves emotional challenges such as shame, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms can overlap with obsessive-compulsive tendencies due to the repetitive and distressing thought patterns.

My thoughts about body dysmorphia

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Key Features of BDD

The key features of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) include the following:

1. Preoccupation with Perceived Flaws

  • Persistent and intrusive thoughts about perceived flaws or defects in physical appearance.
  • The flaws are often exaggerated in the person’s mind or unnoticeable to others.

2. Obsessive Focus on Specific Body Areas

  • Common concerns include skin, hair, nose, weight, body shape, or other specific features.

3. Compulsive Behaviours

  • Repetitive actions to cope with distress, such as:
    • Mirror-checking or avoiding mirrors.
    • Excessive grooming.
    • Camouflaging with clothing, makeup, or accessories.
    • Seeking reassurance about appearance.
    • Comparing oneself to others.

4. Emotional Distress

  • High levels of shame, anxiety, or depression related to appearance.
  • Low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy.

5. Avoidance or Social Withdrawal

  • Avoiding social situations, work, or school due to embarrassment or fear of judgment.

6. Significant Impact on Daily Life

  • The preoccupation and behaviours interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and responsibilities.

7. Possible Overlap with Other Disorders

  • Similarities with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (e.g., intrusive thoughts and compulsions).
  • Often co-occurs with anxiety disorders, depression, or eating disorders.

These features can vary in intensity and are distressing enough to impair the individual’s quality of life.

Other names for BDD OCD

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is sometimes referred to by other terms, depending on context or specific symptoms. Here are some alternative names or closely related terms:

  1. Body Dysmorphia
  2. Dysmorphic Concern
  3. Appearance Anxiety Disorder
  4. Body Image Disorder
  5. Body Image Dysmorphia
  6. Perceived Appearance Disorder
  7. Facial Dysmorphia (when focused on the face)
  8. Muscle Dysmorphia (a subtype of BDD, focused on muscularity)
  9. Imagined Ugliness Disorder (an older term, less commonly used today)

Note: While some terms may be used informally or colloquially, “Body Dysmorphic Disorder” remains the clinically accepted term in psychiatry and psychology.

Help for BDD OCD

Learn that OCD is the symptom and you not being your true self is the cause...