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What is body dysmorphia?

166 Answers
Last Updated: 09/15/2023 at 5:48am
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Top Rated Answers
courageousPeace95
August 11th, 2019 6:57pm
Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition that affect some people and makes them struggle with their body image. People can struggle with real problems of their body, or can think that they have problems (although there is any). This mental health condition can affect the daily-life, for example, people tend to avoid social meetings or try to cover their body with larger clothes or with makeup,... In my personal opinion, some of these problems that people tend to see on themselves are related to the way society them to create the "perfect body image". The struggle is real, and if you know someone with that condition, please, help them
notarandomperson
October 12th, 2019 1:19pm
Body dysmorphia is simply a obsessive disorder where an individual feels quite discontent or unhappy with their body by obsessing over a flaw (or a few) and comparing themselves with others through pictures or social media. It's actually quite common, and while it's more common with females, it also is a problem with some males. Most times it's caused by abusive pasts, bullying, depression or low self-esteem. This might cause the individual to isolate themselves and avoid social gatherings. If ignored, it can escalate to depression, eating disorders and suicidal tendencies. While there is no cure, one can reach out for professional help to recover and reduce feelings of inadequacy.
peacefulLight8704
October 17th, 2019 1:29am
Body dysmorphia can take a bunch of different forms in different people, but basically, it is a disorder where you are hyperfocused on certain small or imaginary flaws, or you blow certain parts out of proportion. Body dysmorphic disorder is related to Obsessive compulsive disorder. If you believe you have this, you should definitely talk to a school counselor, a psychiatrist, or a therapist, as this can be an extremely emotionally, socially, and physically taxing disorder of the mind. A ton of consequences could arise from it, so please, please talk to someone and reach out! People care :)
avanef
November 3rd, 2019 11:24pm
It's a mental disorder characterized by the obsessive idea that some aspect of one's own body part or appearance is severely flawed and therefore warrants exceptional measures to hide or fix one's dysmorphic part on one's figure. There are many people who suffer from this and a lot of it can be traced back to how society shows off certain genders and their role within society, others can come from tv shows, movies, etc. A lot of times it happens to younger audiences usually around their teens is when people struggle with their confidence of themselves and can countine with them through college.
Anonymous
November 7th, 2019 8:10am
Body dysmorphia is the inability to see your body as it actually is. A very common example is someone looking in the mirror and literally seeing themself as fatter than they actually are. It is a common symptom of eating disorders, but not all people with eating disorders experience body dysmorphia by any means. This is not the same thing as body dysphoria. Dysphoria refers to an intense distress about something and most commonly body dysphoria refers to intense unhappiness related to parts and aspects of one's body that are traditionally gendered in society or that the person experiences as making them look like a gender they do not identify with.
Plantifulsoul09
November 7th, 2019 10:19am
Body dysmorphia : Body dysmorphic disorder is a preoccupation with an “imagined” defect in one’s appearance. Alternatively there may be a minor physical abnormality, but the concern is regarded as grossly excessive. Beliefs about defects in appearance usually carry strong personal meanings. A belief that his nose was too big caused one patient to feel that he would end up alone and unloved and that he might look like a crook. Symptoms and diagnosis : People with this disorder may frequently examine their appearance in a mirror, constantly compare their appearance with that of others and avoid social situations or photos.
Anonymous
November 23rd, 2019 11:28pm
A body dis morphia is the fact someone is obsessed by something on their body. They saw thing that nobody notice and they want erase those "flaws". People with body dis morphia have a perception problem to see their body and their appearance. They can be convinced about a default that doesn't exist. It can build reaction like wanting absolutely hide a part of their body, want to lose weight or don't go out of their room. Speaking with someone who had a body dis morphia is really hard because they don't realize they have this problem. And tell them that they are sick isn't efficient.
theheartproject
January 11th, 2020 5:29pm
It is a mental disorder whereby someone can't stop thinking about one or more effects or flaws on their body. They tend to keep looking at mirrors or compare themselves to others' appearances. the condition is incurable and it could be lifelong. it could easily lead to depression or compulsive behaviors. most people suffering from body dysmorphia avoid social interactions while many avoid photos. It could cause changes in moods. counselling and antidepressant medication helps a lot. A psychiatrist is best fit to help someone who has this disorder.
meteoritee
January 17th, 2020 3:06am
Body dysmorphia is being uncomfortable with your own proper body. It's kind of like being thrown off by certain things, because the things on your body aren't the same as how you feel in your mind. For example, I'm nonbinary, and I get a lot of dysmorphia because of my chest. It makes me feel uncomfortable, so I wear a binder to help that feeling. Body dysmorphia is common in people who have been transitioning to a different gender identity, or those that feel that they're a different gender than what their organs say they are. It's a confusing feeling, and can hurt mental health a lot.
WrenSimon
April 12th, 2020 7:38am
Body dysmorphia is a disorder that effects the patient’s perception of their physical form in an inaccurate and hypercritical manner. It causes self esteem issues and can lead to disordered eating. The patient experiences sort of psychosis regarding their body image that is not in line with reality. It’s prevalence in our society is increasing due to the extra pressure social media places on people to hold themselves to an impossible beauty standard. It’s often associated with weight but can also apply to other physical features the patient finds undesirable. This disorder occurs in both males and female patients.
Anonymous
April 24th, 2020 6:32am
Body dysmorphia (BDD) is a disorder that when you look at a small part of your body you hate it and want to fix it. It really eats at your mentality. For example, if you have a bump on your nose and it's not that noticeable but it's all you think about. You want that bump to be gone. You may consider making permanent changes to your nose but you don't wanna do that. BDD or Body Dysmorphia is something that can get better but never ever ever goes away and it is very sad but you can learn to fight through it :)
Anonymous
April 30th, 2020 4:16pm
To me, body dismorphia is the inability to recognize our reflection. i have a preconceived image in my head of how i look and i feel unfamiliar with myself seeing any differently. i feel like body dysmorphia is subjective and experienced in varying severities by ever individual. my body dysmorphia focuses primarily on weight. i see myself as someone morbidly obese even though the numbers on the scale may not reflect that. when i look in the mirror i don’t see what other people see when they look at me and thats very frustrating for anyone including myself to deal with.
blitheBlossom34
May 21st, 2020 1:40pm
it is a mental illness where one is overly concerned with how they look. An obsession is formed over this unperfectness even if it not as it appears but to them it there and it real. People with this spend a great amount of yime examining theyselves over and over again being very concerned and worried about it.This can be caused by lack of confidence,anxiety and depression. This can lead to one not eating or overly eating or socially distancing and a loner which makes one have no social life as they are so self aware overly.it can last for a very long time
Charlotte996
June 25th, 2020 1:07am
Body dysmorphia is essentially being overly concerned about a certain aspect or aspects of your body but without any logical reason. Usually, that thing goes unnoticed by others, but you are unable to see that. For the most part, it tends to be extreme enough to avoid social situations. It tends to be more prevalent in women than in men and is heavily influenced by what is considered to be "normal" as portrayed in your environment. It can cause intense feelings of anxiousness, loneliness, low self-esteem, and also being ashamed. It's important to be aware of your thoughts when you are feeling these feelings as it can help you determine whether there truly is something wrong or if you only believe there is.
PumpkinSpiceCara
July 23rd, 2020 7:42pm
Body dysmorphia is a mental disorder related to how one perceives themself, specifically how they view their weight. In a typical scenario, an individual might look in the mirror and think they are overweight or "fat" when in reality they are dangerously underweight. This condition is often associated with eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia. In some cases, body dysmorphia can lead to an eating disorder, or can cause someone to continue dangerous eating habits. In rare circumstances, some people view themselves as being dangerously underweight when in reality they are dangerously overweight. In any instance, the individual needs professional help and guidance.
Daniella976
August 23rd, 2020 8:27pm
Body dysmorphia is an incredibly difficult thing to experience and understand. The essential idea of body dysmorphia is that you see one thing in the mirror, even though you look completely different from what you see in the mirror. People with body dysmorphia often thing they are either too too too fat or too too skinny, or to muscular, etc. People with body dysmorphia find things to dislike or hate about their body even though those things are probably not even there to begin with. Body dysmorphia leads to things like eating disorders, or just overall self hatred. It is a terrible disease.
Anonymous
September 2nd, 2020 10:57am
Body Dysmorphia is a mental illness where a person is obsessed with certain flaws on his/her face or body, which might be just minor flaw or even imagined. They will try to cover it with makeup or anything else excessively, will check how it looks by looking to the mirror over and over again, and will avoid any activities that might show the flaws like social events or photos because they lack confidence due to their flaws. They usually then compare how they look to others. This mental illness is a chronic condition that can last for years or lifelong.
HopefulBambi
September 11th, 2020 10:30pm
Body dysmorphia, or dysphoria, can be a range of different meanings for the individual themselves. Typically, it is when someone will avoid seeing themselves in mirrors, taking photos, or talking about their own appearance as it makes them extremely uncomfortable. They are affected mentally by having an altered perception of their physical body, which can sometimes lead to a form of an eating disorder, which causes the person to hyper fixate on every and any little thing about their body that they dislike about themselves. Those with body dysmorphia/dysphoria will often not see what you're seeing in regards to their own physical appearance.
Anonymous
September 24th, 2020 6:55pm
This is when you believe that your body looks one way but in reality, it does not look that way but in your mind, that is what you believe
Anonymous
October 17th, 2020 6:12am
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental illness. People who have this illness constantly worry about the way they look. They may believe an inconspicuous or non-existent physical attribute is a serious defect. They respond to this by performing repetitive acts such as mirror checking or comparing their appearance with others. The severity of BDD varies. For example, some people know their feelings aren’t rational or justified, while others are almost delusional in their conviction. BDD causes severe emotional distress. It is not just vanity and is not something a person can just ‘forget about’ or ‘get over’. The preoccupation can be so extreme that the affected person has trouble functioning at work, school or in social situations. Any part of the body can be targeted. It is thought that between one and two per cent of the population may have BDD, with men and women equally affected. BDD usually starts in the teenage years, when concern over physical appearance is common.
DamienMSpindlow
October 25th, 2020 3:56am
body dysmorphia is when you see your body as misshapen or deformed when its not it makes you hate the way you look and normally you try to cover it up with an over sized hoody or baggy pants its is something I'm told i have it a really bad feeling looking in the mirror sometimes it hard or even impossible to look in the mirror it can even be hard getting up in the morning getting dressed and buying cloths is a hassle because you don't think anything looks good one you an when people tell you it looks good yo don't believe them
Anonymous
December 11th, 2020 3:59pm
It´s 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. So in simpler terms: the image that You see of yourself in the mirror is not what the rests sees. Some of the common symptoms are: Seeking cosmetic procedures and surgeries. Repetitively looking in the mirror or avoiding mirrors. Excessive time spent on grooming. An overwhelming feeling the flaw perceived makes them ugly or deformed. If you feel like you are experiencing body dysphoria look for professional help, since it can lead to even more complicated problems like depression or increased anxiety.
Anonymous
January 1st, 2021 11:49pm
It is a condition where you cannot stop thinking about things you perceive as your flaws in appearance. These flaws are often unnoticeable to others. People of any age can have this condition, but it's most common in teenagers and young adults. For example, you think your upper arm is too fat. You will touch it, measure it with your thumb and index finger, you will jiggle the skin you perceive as fat etc. It can be triggered by negative life experiences, such as childhood teasing, neglect or abuse. There is no cure to it in form of medication, but therapy can help.
sweetlistener281
January 7th, 2021 10:32pm
Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental disorder in which a person is preoccupied with an imagined physical defect or a minor defect that others often cannot see. As a result, people with this disorder see themselves as "ugly" and often avoid social exposure or turn to plastic surgery to try to improve their appearance. Basically, it means that you feel unhappy with how you look and think that everyone sees you that way too, when in fact, you look normal. Hope this helps!
mxmes
January 23rd, 2021 7:32pm
Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health disorder in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance. A flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others, but you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations. Your perceived flaw and the repetitive behaviors cause you significant distress, and impact your ability to function in your daily life. Treatment of body dysmorphic disorder may include cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. It's not known specifically what causes body dysmorphic disorder. Like many other mental health conditions, body dysmorphic disorder may result from a combination of issues.
Anonymous
January 30th, 2021 4:25am
Body dysmorphic disorder, or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where you spend a lot of time worrying about your appearance. You may have body dysmorphic disorder if you worry a lot about how a specific part of your body looks and it affects your daily life. Treatments for body dysmorphic disorder include talking therapies and antidepressants. The exact cause of body dysmorphic disorder is unclear. It's been linked to genes, chemical changes in the brain and traumatic past experiences Body dysmorphic disorder, or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where you spend a lot of time worrying about your appearance. You may have body dysmorphic disorder if you worry a lot about how a specific part of your body looks and it affects your daily life. Treatments for body dysmorphic disorder include talking therapies and antidepressants. The exact cause of body dysmorphic disorder is unclear. It's been linked to genes, chemical changes in the brain and traumatic past experiences
LauraPandora1
February 3rd, 2021 11:50pm
Body dysmorphia, to me, is looking in the mirror and seeing someone you loathe or don't recognize staring back at you. My dysmorphia makes me look at all my perceived flaws and focus on them almost obsessively. A lot of the time, what we see in the mirror is a reflection of our inner psyche and shadows, not the truth. Someone who struggles with dysmorphia sees something completely different than how others would objectively view that person. Trying to uplift yourself and celebrate the parts of yourself that you might not be happy with, engaging in self-care and self-love, while difficult, can help us appreciate and love our bodies even when we don't want to.
Anonymous
February 19th, 2021 3:05am
Body dysmorphia is the mental health condition of not perceiving yourself as you look, but your mind tricks you into altering your appearance. This causes repetitively looking in the mirror or avoiding mirrors. Excessive time spent on grooming and an overwhelming feeling the flaw perceived makes them ugly or deformed. If left untreated or unaddressed, Body Dysmorphic Disorder can lead to serious consequences, including suicidal ideations and attempts, increased anxiety and depression, and eating disorders. If you or someone you know is showing signs of any of these stated above, please seek help or advice, this can help you a lot. You are not alone and you are loved
Anonymous
March 11th, 2021 8:43pm
people who have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) think about their real or perceived flaws for hours each day. They can't control their negative thoughts and don't believe people who tell them that they look fine. Their thoughts may cause severe emotional distress and interfere with their daily functioning. They may miss work or school, avoid social situations and isolate themselves, even from family and friends, because they fear others will notice their flaws.BDD is a body-image disorder characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight defect in one's appearance. People with BDD can dislike any part of their body, although they often find fault with their hair, skin, nose, chest, or stomach. In reality, a perceived defect may be only a slight imperfection or nonexistent. But for someone with BDD, the flaw is significant and prominent, often causing severe emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning.The causes of BDD are unclear, but certain biological and environmental factors may contribute to its development, including genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors such as malfunctioning of serotonin in the brain, personality traits, and life experiences (e.g. child maltreatment, sexual trauma, peer-abuse).
Anonymous
March 12th, 2021 3:11pm
body dysmorphia is a mental illness/condition where an individual has an unhealthy obsession on focusing on their appearance and the flaws that they picked out from themselves. these "flaws" are often unnoticeable to others, yet it can really affect a person's social life e.g. being in front of the mirror for hours a day, avoiding social situations or pictures, excess cosmetic procedures and exercises, and many more. this of course, can be treated, usually through counselling/therapy and antidepressant medication. body dysmorphia can be really difficult, and it's best for you to be aware of what to say or do around people who are more sensitive/conscious about their body as some things can be really triggering for them.