Another way BDD can manifest is as Muscle Dysmorphia, where a person obsesses over not being muscular enough, even if they are very fit. Bigorexia is another variation of BDD, where a person views themselves as weak and skinny, no matter how “buff” and muscular they become. These variations of BDD are more common among men than women.  

What all forms of BDD have in common is an intense focus on your appearance and body image, constantly worrying about perceived imperfections and repeatedly checking yourself in the mirror, picking your skin or grooming excessively. For many people with BDD, the shame, embarrassment and self-consciousness they feel leads to avoiding social situations. Emotional distress in the form of anxiety, depression, and sometimes suicidal thoughts is also common. It can take over your life and impact your day-to-day functioning. 

It’s also common for individuals suffering from BDD to get cosmetic procedures in an attempt to “fix” the flaw. Despite their belief that this will finally solve their problems, cosmetic procedures are not a magic pill for BDD and any relief will be short-lived. Unfortunately, symptoms will usually return, and the person’s fixation will shift to another part of their appearance. This can trigger an endless cycle of finding flaws and seeking out the next surgery or procedure to fix this “flaw”. Before long, getting cosmetic procedures has become an addiction that will hinder recovery from BDD. 

There is no one root cause of BDD. Instead, it is the result of a complex interplay of genetic, neurobiological, psychological and social factors. For example, a family history of OCD or anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, perfectionism, beauty standards, bullying and social media filters are all considered to play a part in the development of BDD. 

Not only can BDD take over your life and cause distress, but it can also lead to other harmful behaviors and mental health conditions. These include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, depression, anorexia nervosa, orthorexia and bulimia. In addition, in an attempt to cope with the stress of having BDD, many self-medicate with substances like drugs and alcohol, increasing the likelihood of developing an addiction.

Through our combination of medical, psychological and personal care, we are proud to be the only clinic in the world that addresses co-occurring conditions and every possible root-cause of body dysmorphic disorder.

Additional symptoms include:

What are the physical symptoms of BDD?

• Extreme preoccupation with a specific body part (e.g., nose, skin, hair, weight, muscles).
• Persistent negative thoughts about appearance (e.g., “I’m ugly” or “I look deformed”).
• Fear of judgement or humiliation over perceived flaws.
• Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
• Feeling “unreal” or disconnected from yourself (depersonalisation) due to excessive focus on appearance.

What are the behavioural symptoms of BDD? 

• Constantly checking mirrors or avoiding them altogether.
• Excessive grooming, skin-picking, or makeup use to “fix” perceived flaws.
• Seeking cosmetic procedures or surgeries but feeling dissatisfied afterward.
• Experiencing muscle dysmorphia, an obsession with body size/muscle mass.
• Frequent comparison of one’s appearance to others. 

Behavioural symptoms:

• Constant reassurance-seeking from others about looks.
• Excessive exercise, dieting, or use of supplements (especially in muscle dysmorphia)
• Social withdrawal (avoiding events, work, or school due to appearance concerns).
• Changing clothes multiple times to cover up perceived flaws.
• Avoiding photos or filtering/editing images excessively.
• Picking at your skin to make it “smooth”.

If these signs sound familiar, we can help guide you toward recovery.