What is Body Dysmorphia?
The term "body dysmorphia" is widely used, and often misconstrued with negative body image. So what is body dysmorphia?
What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a mental health condition where a person becomes preoccupied or obsessed with a perceived flaw in their appearance. This flaw is typically specific to a body part or feature (i.e. nose, skin, hair) and is often imperceptible or unnoticeable to others. Individuals with BDD may spend excessive time checking, concealing, or worrying about the flaw, which can lead to significant distress, isolation, or difficulty in social settings.
Distorted Body Image vs. BDD
While BDD involves an intense focus on a particular perceived flaw, negative body image or body image disturbances involve a general dissatisfaction or distorted view of one’s body as a whole. People with distorted body image may perceive their body as different from how it actually is and might engage in compensatory behaviors such as body checking or disordered eating.
Body Checking Behaviors
Body checking involves compulsively examining, monitoring, or assessing body parts. This can include actions like pinching, touching, measuring, weighing, or scrutinizing photos. These behaviors are common in both BDD and those with distorted body image or eating disorders. While body checking may provide temporary reassurance, it often leads to a vicious cycle of increased anxiety and a heightened need for further reassurance, perpetuating negative feelings about one's body.
If you are struggling with your relationship with yourself, your body, or food, working with a therapist and a dietician can help. By understanding the emotional roots and patterns of these behaviors, one can gain awareness and start to change and find better ways to cope.
