Body dysmorphia, also known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is described by the NHS as a mental health disorder where a person spends a lot of time worrying about the flaws in their appearance.
Similar to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), those with BDD may experience obsessive worries about one or more perceived flaws in their physical appearance that cannot be seen by others or appear very slight.
This may then develop into compulsive behaviours and routines, such as excessive use of mirrors or picking your skin, to deal with the worries you have about the way you look.
After a prolonged period of time BDD can cause emotional distress causing a significant impact on the individual’s ability to get on with their everyday lives. Although the condition varies in severity from person to person, it is recommended individuals who are suffering seek medical advice.
