Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)

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.

You might have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) if you:

• worry a lot about a specific area of your body (particularly your face)
• spend a lot of time comparing your looks with other people's
• look at yourself in mirrors a lot or avoid mirrors altogether
• go to a lot of effort to conceal flaws – for example, by spending a long time combing your hair, applying make-up or choosing clothes
• pick at your skin to make it "smooth"

BDD can seriously affect your daily life, including your work, social life and relationships.

BDD can also lead to depression, self-harm and even thoughts of suicide.

The symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) can get better with treatment.

If your symptoms are relatively mild, you should be referred for a type of talking therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which you have either on your own or in a group.

If you have moderate symptoms, you should be offered either CBT or a type of antidepressant medicine called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

If your symptoms are more severe, or other treatments do not work, you should be offered CBT together with an SSRI.

It's not known exactly what causes body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), but it might be associated with:

• genetics – you may be more likely to develop BDD if you have a relative with BDD, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or depression
• a traumatic experience in the past – you may be more likely to develop BDD if you were teased, bullied or abused when you were a child

Some people with BDD also have another mental health condition, such as obsessive compulsive behaviour (OCD), generalised anxiety disorder or an eating disorder.

Some people may find it helpful to contact or join a support group for information, advice and practical tips on coping with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

You can ask your doctor if there are any groups in your area, and the BDD Foundation has a directory of local and online BDD support groups.

You may also find the following organisations to be useful sources of information and advice:

• Anxiety UK
• International OCD Foundation
• Mind
• OCD Action
• OCD UK

Mental wellbeing

Things that can help with your mental wellbeing if you have BDD include:

• taking regular exercise
• making sure you get enough sleep

Some people also find it helpful to get together with friends or family, or to try doing something new to improve their mental wellbeing.

It may also be helpful to try some relaxation and breathing exercises to relieve stress and anxiety.