ABOUT BDD
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a serious mental health disorder in which an individual is preoccupied with the idea that one or more aspects of their physical appearance are deformed, defective, abnormal, or even hideous (American Psychological Association [APA], 2013).
BDD is very common. It occurs in about 2% of the American population, which is more than 7 million people in America; however, it goes under-recognized and often misdiagnosed.
BDD is more than just not liking one’s appearance.
People with BDD worry that there is something extremely wrong with how they look. This causes extreme emotional distress, shame about one's focus on their appearance, and interferes with day-to-day life.
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BDD is classified under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the DSM 5. BDD shares many similarities with OCD due to the sufferer experiencing severe intrusive thoughts which lead to compulsive, excessively repetitive behaviors such as:
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Checking their appearance in the mirror or other reflective surfaces.
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Avoiding reflective surfaces.
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Can't stop touching area that is "deformed."
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Trying to camouflage themselves with excessive clothing or hats.
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Excessive grooming rituals.
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Constantly comparing themselves to others.
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Skin picking to try to make it smoother.
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Hair pulling or cutting to make it "just so."
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Seeking reassurance about appearance
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WHAT DO PEOPLE WITH BDD FOCUS ON?
The most frequent body areas of concern:
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skin (73%)
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hair (56%)
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nose (37%)
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However, any body area can be the focus of preoccupation.
Over one's lifetime a BDD sufferer can be preoccupied with 5 to 7 different body parts.
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This is a preoccupation with one's overall appearance and usually has to do with the belief that one’s body is too small and inadequately muscular. This occurs mostly in men and can lead to excessive exercise, weightlifting, steroid use, and special diets.
MUSCLE DYSMORPHIA
WHEN DOES BDD TYPICALLY BEGIN?
The typical age of onset is 12 to 13 years old but can affect anyone at any age. BDD has even been reported in children as young as five years old.
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WHO IS EFFECTED BY BDD?
BDD can happen to anyone.
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BDD is found to be about equally as common between women and men. In the United States BDD occurs in about 2.4 percent in the general population (2.5 percent women; 2.2 percent men). This is about 2 in 50 people.
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BDD is about as common as obsessive-compulsive disorder and more common than Anorexia, Bulimia, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.
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BDD also occurs all around the world, in people from a variety of cultures, differing levels of education, and in all socioeconomic groups.
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International Studies have found:
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In Germany BDD occurs in about 1.7 to 1.8% of the general population.
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In 2015 it was found that BDD presents in about 5.1% of South African undergraduate students
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In 2015 it was found that BDD presents in about 5.8% of Pakistani medical students (N = 156).
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BDD is also found in 3 to 16% of cosmetic surgery patients around the world
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AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM
"It's not a glamour disorder. It's a serious mental illness" ~The Mighty
​These behaviors are typically:
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Done over and over again, many times a day
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Occur, on average, for 3 - 8 hours a day
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Done in response to a strong urge that is hard to resist or control (Phillips, 1999).
(Phillips, 1999).
(Phillips, 1999).
Although this chart does not demonstrate plastic surgeries that were sought due to BDD, this does show a strong connection between most common areas of concern and plastic surgeries performed around the world.