Body Dysmorphia Disorder, sometimes referred to as BDD, is a mental health condition that affects the way people perceive their own bodies. It typically involves an individual spending a lot of time obsessing about their own appearance. People suffering from body dysmorphia often see flaws in themselves which are not visible to other people.
How Can Body Dysmorphia Exhibit Itself?
Most people think that body dysmorphia is limited to people who perceive themselves as overweight. But there are no limits to how people may see flaws that aren’t there, or magnify things they do not like about themselves. People may perceive themselves as too thin, too short, too tall or not muscular enough. People with BDD may also obsess about perceived skin issues. It can happen to both men and women, but is more common in teenagers and young adults.
What Can Body Dysmorphia Lead To?
Body dysmorphia underpins a lot of eating disorders, leading to both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Those who think they’re lacking in muscles can end up spending too much time trying to gain muscle, which can result in an unhealthy addiction to working out or taking muscle supplements. Those who believe their skin is flawed may pick at their skin. It can also affect an individual’s daily life, as they spend increasing amounts of time focusing on their way they look, trying to cover themselves up or avoiding social situations. It can also lead to depression, self-harm and even suicidal thoughts.
People who feel they’re affected by BDD should contact their GP, a trusted adult or an appointed mental health first aider at their workplace. Awareness of BDD among mental health practitioners and first aid trainers can help those who are suffering to come forward for help. You can visit Tidal Training to discover a range of mental health training courses, including a dedicated Body Dysmorphic Disorder Training course.
BDD can range in severity but can lead to dangerous mental health disorders, including eating disorders and self-harm. Anyone who is struggling with BDD should speak to their GP.
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