You look at yourself in the mirror and see the worst version of yourself. You fixate on one perceived flaw. You see yourself in a picture and cringe. Do I really look like that?
Body dysmorphia (also known as body dysmorphic disorder) may look like a normal part of having a human body in a world that constantly tells us we’re not enough. But it’s much more. It’s a valid mental health concern that can warp perception, cause obsessive thoughts and impact daily life.
This article covers what body dysmorphia is, common signs and symptoms, causes, treatment options and when to seek support. When body dysmorphia starts to take over, support can make a real difference. That might look like therapy, help with related struggles like OCD or eating disorders, or sometimes medication. At Eating Recovery Center (ERC), care is built around the person, not just the symptoms.
Body dysmorphia quick facts
Affects both teens and adults
Involves obsessive thoughts about appearance
Often involves repetitive rituals or compulsions to manage distress about perceived flaws, such as mirror checking, excessive grooming, camouflaging or skin picking
Often linked to anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Can co-occur with eating disorders
Treatable with therapy and medication
What is body dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition as a preoccupation with a perceived defect or flaw in one’s physical appearance when, in fact, the person appears normal to others around them.
Put simply, body dysmorphia causes a person to become obsessive over perceived flaws in their appearance, even when those flaws are minor or unnoticeable to others.
Does body dysmorphia overlap with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Yes, traits in OCD and body dysmorphia overlap in distinct ways, but there are also unique features of body dysmorphia that don’t fit neatly under OCD.
One study[1] suggested that while certain foundational traits were similar, i.e.:
Age of onset
Illness course
Symptom severity
Perfectionism
Body dysmorphia showed a unique feature that wasn’t common in OCD.
While someone with OCD may recognize that their compulsions are irrational or excessive, even if they feel unable to stop, an individual with body dysmorphia may have a harder time separating the obsession from reality. Perceived flaws in appearance feel obvious and objectively real.
What are the signs and symptoms of body dysmorphia?
Common signs and symptoms of body dysmorphia include:
Spending hours thinking about perceived flaws
Frequently checking mirrors or avoiding them
Comparing one’s appearance to that of others
Seeking reassurance about one’s appearance
Avoiding social situations due to appearance concerns
Excessively grooming or covering perceived flaws
Feeling distressed about photos or being perceived by others
Excessively fixating on one or more body parts or features (commonly skin, hair, facial features, body symmetry or muscle size)
For many people, body dysmorphia goes beyond everyday insecurity. Symptoms often become obsessive, time-consuming and disruptive to daily life, relationships or emotional well-being.
What causes body dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphia isn’t caused by one specific factor, but there are biological, psychological and social influences that may increase risk.[2]
Biological factors
Some people may be more biologically vulnerable to body dysmorphia. Research suggests biological factors may include:
A family history of body dysmorphia, OCD, anxiety or depression
Genetic factors
Differences in visual and emotional processing, including heightened focus on small details or perceived flaws
Brain patterns linked to obsessive thinking and anxiety
Psychological factors
Certain personality traits and emotional experiences may increase risk. These can include:
Perfectionism
Low self-esteem or heightened self-criticism
Sensitivity to rejection or judgment
Anxiety or depression
Difficulty tolerating uncertainty or intrusive thoughts
Social and environmental factors
Life experiences and social pressures can also play a role. Potential contributing factors include:
Bullying or teasing, especially related to appearance
Trauma or difficult life experiences
Appearance-related criticism
Social comparison and beauty standards
Frequent exposure to edited or filtered images online
Body dysmorphia doesn’t happen because of one single experience or personality trait. For many people, it develops through a combination of risk factors over time.
Can social media cause body dysmorphia?
You open your phone to post a picture and quickly realize that with one swipe a filter can smooth skin, change facial features or create an idealized version of how you look.
Filters are harmless for many people. But for some, frequent exposure to edited images may contribute to greater dissatisfaction with their physical appearance.
Referring to this trend as “Snapchat dysmorphia,” some plastic surgeons have described an uptick in individuals bringing photos in filtered versions of themselves for cosmetic surgery.[3]
Factors that may increase body image distress include:
Frequent use of appearance-altering filters
Comparing oneself to edited or curated images online
Increased focus on selfies and perceived flaws
Seeking reassurance about appearance through comments or photos
Experiencing perfectionism, bullying history, anxiety or low self-esteem
What’s the difference between body dysmorphia and eating disorders?
While body dysmorphia is not an eating disorder, the two conditions are closely related and often occur together. Both can involve body dissatisfaction, compulsive behaviors and emotional distress — but they aren’t the same condition.
Body dysmorphia typically focuses on one or more perceived flaws in appearance, while eating disorders are generally centered around food, weight, body size or health.
Body dysmorphia | Similarities | Eating disorders* |
Typically focused on one or more specific flaws | Distorted body image or difficulty seeing oneself clearly | Focused on food, weight, body size or health |
May include checking, reassurance seeking, comparison or covering perceived flaws | Excessive mirror (body) checking | May include restriction, purging, binge eating or compulsive behaviors |
Avoidance related to appearance concerns | Anxiety, shame, perfectionism or low self-esteem | Avoidance related to food or body image distress |
*Includes common eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, atypical anorexia, orthorexia and bulimia nervosa. Does not include eating disorders unrelated to body image such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
Because body dysmorphia and eating disorders can overlap, it is sometimes difficult to know what kind of support is needed. If concerns about appearance are affecting eating habits, daily life or emotional well-being, specialized treatment may help. Learn more about support for anorexia nervosa, atypical anorexia, bulimia nervosa and orthorexia.
What are the types of body dysmorphia?
The most common types of body dysmorphia are muscle dysmorphia, facial or appearance-focused dysmorphia, and weight- or body-focused dysmorphia.
Muscle dysmorphia
More common in men, muscle dysmorphia is a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder that focuses on being “too large.” Someone may become preoccupied with the belief that they are too small, not muscular enough or not lean enough.
This may show up as:
Excessive gym sessions or rigid exercise routines
Obsessive focus on food, “clean eating” or supplements
Frequent body checking or comparison
Avoidance of social situations due to body image concerns
Facial or appearance-focused dysmorphia
Some people become intensely preoccupied with specific facial or physical features, such as skin, hair, nose shape, teeth or facial symmetry. Even minor or unnoticeable differences may feel overwhelming or impossible to ignore.
Weight- or body-focused dysmorphia
For some, body dysmorphia may center around body shape, weight or proportions. This can sometimes overlap with eating disorders, making it difficult to know exactly what kind of support is needed.
What about body dysmorphia in men?
Because conversations around body image often center on women, body dysmorphia in men can be overlooked or minimized. Public figures like Noah Kahan have helped start conversations around men’s mental health and body dysmorphia, raising awareness that body image struggles are not limited to one gender.
In reality, research suggests body dysmorphic disorder affects men at similar rates to women, yet men are often less likely to recognize symptoms or seek support. At the same time, dissatisfaction with appearance among men has increased significantly, with the percentage of men unhappy with their overall appearance having nearly tripled over the past few decades.[4]
Do I have body dysmorphia?
Everyone has days when they don’t feel like themselves or don’t like the way they look. Does this always mean you have body dysmorphia? The answer isn’t always simple.
Normal insecurity | Body dysmorphia |
Feeling self-conscious after eating too much or having an “off” day | Feeling like you “don’t recognize yourself” in the mirror |
Having temporary concerns about your appearance | Constantly thinking about your body or how you look |
Having occasional self-critical thoughts | Fixating on one body part or perceived flaw |
Feeling uncomfortable in photos sometimes | Avoiding photos due to distress about your appearance |
Experiencing insecurity that comes and goes | Having frequent self-critical thoughts about perceived flaws, even when other people barely notice them |
Wanting to look your best | Spending a significant amount of time obsessing over grooming or appearance |
These are just a few examples of what we hear from patients. Everyone’s experience is different, and the only way to get an accurate diagnosis is through a trained professional.
How is body dysmorphia treated?
Body dysmorphia is typically treated with specialized care, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and support for co-occurring mental health concerns.
This may look like:
CBT: Digging into the thought patterns that fuel body dysmorphia and learning how to challenge or respond to those thoughts differently.
Medication (SSRIs): Some people benefit from medication, particularly SSRIs, to help reduce obsessive thoughts, anxiety or depression.
Specialized care: Because body dysmorphia often overlaps with OCD, anxiety, depression and eating disorders, specialized treatment can help address the full picture.
If concerns about appearance are impacting your daily life, relationships, eating habits or emotional well-being, support can help you.
At Eating Recovery Center (ERC), treatment for body dysmorphia is built around the individual. That can include therapy like CBT, support for related struggles like OCD or eating disorders, and sometimes medication. It’s all about helping take the pressure off both the thoughts and feelings tied to BDD.
How can I help someone with body dysmorphia?
Watching someone you love struggle with body dysmorphia can feel difficult, especially when they are seeking reassurance or struggling with thoughts that feel very real to them.
There are a few key things you can do to support a loved one:
Avoid reassurance cycles: Your loved one asks if they look “big” that day. You reassure them, but a few minutes later, they ask again. It’s natural to want to make them feel better, but repeated reassurance often becomes a temporary coping mechanism rather than addressing the deeper fear or distress behind the thought.
Try saying, “Let’s focus on other characteristics that make you who you are” or “Let’s just let that thought pass by.”Don’t reinforce the appearance focus: Try not to center conversations around appearance or “fixing” their concerns. That can cause an unhelpful loop. Instead, focus on how your loved one is feeling and gently encourage conversations that go beyond looks. Try, for example: “We need a reset! Tell me about something that is important and meaningful for you today.”
Encourage professional support: You don’t have to have all the answers to support someone you care about. Often, simply listening can reduce their distress and nudge them toward getting professional help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Body Dysmorphia
These frequently asked questions about body dysmorphia (BDD) cover common concerns about symptoms, causes, and treatment, based on clinical definitions from the DSM-5 and current mental health research.
Is body dysmorphia a mental illness?
Yes, body dysmorphia—also called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)—is a recognized mental health condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It involves obsessive thoughts about perceived physical flaws and can significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, and emotional well-being.
What is the difference between body dysmorphia and normal insecurity?
Normal insecurity is typically temporary and situational, such as feeling self-conscious on a bad day. Body dysmorphia is more persistent and intense, involving obsessive thoughts, repetitive behaviors (like mirror checking or reassurance seeking), and distress that interferes with daily life.
What triggers body dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphia is often triggered by a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition, perfectionism, anxiety, past experiences like bullying or criticism, and exposure to unrealistic beauty standards—especially through social media and filtered images.
Can social media make body dysmorphia worse?
For some individuals, social media can increase body dissatisfaction. Frequent exposure to edited or filtered images, constant comparison, and emphasis on appearance can heighten focus on perceived flaws and contribute to worsening symptoms.
How is body dysmorphia treated?
Body dysmorphia is typically treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sometimes medication such as SSRIs. Many individuals also benefit from specialized treatment programs. For example, Eating Recovery Center (ERC) provides comprehensive care for BDD, including support for co-occurring conditions like eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD.
Can body dysmorphia go away on its own?
While symptoms may fluctuate, body dysmorphia usually does not fully resolve without support. Professional treatment can help reduce obsessive thoughts, improve coping strategies, and address underlying mental health concerns.
How do I know if I should get help for body dysmorphia?
You may benefit from professional support if:
You spend a significant amount of time thinking about perceived flaws
Appearance concerns interfere with relationships or daily activities
You avoid social situations or photos due to distress
You engage in repetitive behaviors like mirror checking or excessive grooming
If symptoms feel overwhelming or persistent, reaching out to a mental health professional is an important next step.
When to get help for body dysmorphia
Feeling distressed about your appearance isn’t something you have to carry with you, especially if it’s impacting your relationships, eating habits or overall well-being.
Body dysmorphia can occur alongside anxiety, depression, OCD and eating disorders, making it difficult to know exactly what you’re experiencing — and that’s okay. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Schedule a free Introductory call at 866-938-5750 or fill out this form online.
No-commitment, confidential consultations are available.