5 Signs of Body Dysmorphia

Body dysmorphic disorder is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder that focuses on the body. It is characterized by cognitive symptoms (that is, symptoms that involve the mind) such as perceived flaws in physical appearance. In this video, we’ll discuss the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder.

Disclaimer: This video is created for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute a professional diagnosis. If you suspect you may have body dysmorphic disorder or any mental health condition, we highly advise you to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. With that said, here are a few signs of body dysmorphia.

Writer: Monica Taing
Script Editor: Isadora Ho
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
Animator: Zuzia
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong

Resources
Building Body Acceptance (Body Dysmorphia) Self-Help Resources. (n.d.). Building Body Acceptance (Body Dysmorphia) Self-Help Resources. Retrieved September 23, 2022, from Building Body Acceptance (Body Dysmorphia) Self-Help Resources

Useful contacts - body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Mind. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2022, from Useful contacts - body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)

American Psychiatric Association. (2022, September 23). Dsm-5-Text Revision 5th Ed. ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ) 5th Edition By American Psychiatric Association May 18, 2022. Generic.

[Psychgo]

Thanks Unicorn Lover requesting this important topic! Comment below if there are any topics you want us to cover more on. Just note, this video is made for educational purposes and is not intended to substitute a professional diagnosis. If you suspect you may have body dysmorphic disorder or any mental health condition, we highly advise you to seek help from a qualified mental health professional.

[cassie]

What about avoidance of mirrors, not using social media and not taking personal pictures, because any reminder of what you actually look like makes you physically sick and can ruin your mood for days/weeks?

[userココ]

1. 0:25 - You have frequent critical thoughts about your physical appearance when it's not noticeable by others
2. 0:53 - You perform repetitive behaviors or mental acts
3. 1:22 - Your obsessions and compulsions cause you significant distress
4. 2:00 - You think that other people mock for how you look
5. 2:24 - You don't meet the criteria for an eating disorder

[theonewhoatebread]

My mom has this, and well it's just a friendly reminder that mental health does not just take a toll on you as a young adult, it can grow into older ages, but is good as it shows people should not feel weird or different.

[DemonKitty_]

I've never clicked on a notification so fast before. I was diagnosed at 18 and still suffer now at 25. I want cosmetic surgery as I feel ugly with my face, my body and just my overall look. I wear baggy clothes to hide my imperfections, I can't leave the house without wearing makeup to cover up my ugly face, if anyone sees my face without makeup they're very special. I honestly hate myself.

[terrylolli]

As someone who is going through Facial Dysmorphia I need to say thank you for talking about this topic. Many pepole find it stupid and make fun of this topic, but I'm' glad this video was made. ❤

[rikiya]

Me questioning myself all the time if I have body dysmorphia or I'm just in fact really ugly

[khalilahd.]

It’s sad to see how many people relate to this but I’m so happy you guys are committed to spreading awareness and breaking down the stigmas with mental illness. You’re helping so many people ❤

[annianxiety]

I have had BDD since age 14, because I was sexually assaulted +5 times at that year. I was also bullied at school etc. Now I’m 28 and still have BDD. I haven’t been able to do any work after 19 years old. I have used drugs, tried to kill myself etc, didn’t go outside for +2 years at all. But even I still feel I can’t live without having to have plastic surgery, I promise you can get better and have a better life if you seek help. I am diagnosed as BDD and BPD, social anxiety and depression, but therapy (DKT, CBT) has helped me a lot! Dancing has been the most healing thing for me. Also psychophysical therapy was very helpful. I wish you all reading this suffering BDD so much strenght, please don’t give up until you have tried everything! This life is precious and it can feel better I promise ✨

[aranguren]

Wow. I got bullied so much in high school that I developed BD, but only now, thanks to this video, I can finally give a name to that inmense anxiety I felt and hated.

Thank you for explaining this concept so well! My teenage years were honestly a nightmare, but I slowly climbed back up by focusing on everything (and everyone) I loved. Including myself, I actually learnt how to love myself :')

[neofulcrum]

The insecurity for height and looks hits hard. Even at 25 it never got better and created a sense of skepticism and social anxiety.

[nathanhaimson]

Needed this rn. I have always been very insecure about how I look and have been feeling pretty bad about myself lately.

[rosieokoye]

So glad you uploaded this video. I feel like body dysmorphic disorder is becoming more commonly misused in day-to-day language. Hopefully this will educate those that feel they have BDD because of something they saw on social media and/or help those who may have it and not realize it yet :)

[avo]

Dear person reading this, you are perfect the way you are, you are the best person in this world, so smile wide, this pain is temporary, you are strong that you can overcome it and fighting with it till now. Have a lovely day :)

[binnie]

I am quite happy you've made a video on this big thanks to the person who suggested it. And yes i do personally suffer from body dysmorphia. I've noticed not too long ago that i was worrying over anything when it comes to my body like: will people talk about me behind my back because my hair looks terrible? What do they think about my hand? What could they think when they look at my legs? Are they all judging me?

It stopped me from wearing a ton of clothes because they show off the parts that i feel most insecure about. And stopped me from going out with people. Because i felt like they would judge me.

Even when I'm home and having a harder time not taking care of myself i wonder: will my family judge me for how i look?

And yes I've been told that im beautiful or pretty by others friends and family. And i did try only looking at the parts that looked better than others. But it didn't help i can't just stop examining how i look.

And it's not something someone would want. And even when the pandemic "ended" i was still wearing a mask around. Because I didn't have to see a large portion of my face.

And it's not just at home. If i ever see a surface i can observe myself in i will go and do that. And i wear glasses my body dysmorphia is a big reason i hate them. Because when I don't have them on I don't see myself as clearly: my hair looks fluffy, my eyes look nice and that stuff. But when i put them on i suddenly look terrible have dark circles, my hair looks stringy ect.

I do wish that people that don't have it to never have it. Because it limits you from doing so much. You focus on your appearance so much you start to loose focus on other more important to you things.

[mary-amablankson]

I experienced this a lot when I was younger and I know a lot of young women do. I've come to appreciate myself completely and I now realize how beautiful I was back then.

[Tryingtobefit]

i am going through this disease please pray for me to overcome fighting hard long time😖💪🏽🤲🏼

[lppz]

Since the COVID pandemic started I started to grow insecure about my face, over the span of like 2 years I would not go anywhere (like school or shopping) without wearing a mask. I eventually started not eating or drinking at school because I didn't ever want to take my mask off. I started covering my face with my hair I wanted to make sure nobody could see my face. I constantly check mirrors to make sure I'm covered up, but I still feel disgusted when I look at myself. I agree that when my hair is on my forehead and have my mask on it looks bad, but I just want to cover it up anyways. I started working out to make me feel better about myself, but my face hasn't really changed much. And I don't want to self diagnose anything so that's why I made this comment!!

I'm not sure what to do because I don't have enough courage to make any changes to be better, and when I saw this video I could somewhat relate to it, so if anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it. Have a lovely day

[lyraphoenix]

I’d love to see a video delving into binge eating disorder and stress eating ❤️ the usual causes, physical and psychological effects, misconceptions, how being judged for it also makes it worse… I think delving more info eating disorders as a whole would really help inform people c:

[ooops]

I literally feel like this all the time