Fact: This belief is central to BDD and often leads to many consultations of cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists, or other providers of cosmetic treatments. Across studies, about a third of individuals reported seeking medical or cosmetic procedures. However, these treatments are not recommended for BDD. There is the risk of increased distress if a procedure does not meet expectations. Research shows that even if there is short term emotional relief, often the focus of the BDD will move to other aspects of the appearance and can lead to multiple procedures. The key message here is that BDD is a psychological or psychiatric problem and this needs psychological or psychiatric treatment.

Fact: With rates of about 2% in the general population — or about 6,560,000 people in the US alone — BDD is far from being a rare disorder. In other words, it is likely that other people in your community share your experiences and understand your worries. Online resources like the IOCDF and BDD Foundation can help you learn more about BDD, connect with others and raise awareness for the disorder. Fortunately, within the last decades, effective treatment approaches have been developed. 

Many people with BDD have intense feelings of shame, leading to social withdrawal and isolation. We hope that knowing that BDD is a common condition affecting 1 in 50 will encourage you to seek help and support. You're not alone and help is available. 

For information on finding a private therapist, or accessing treatment in the UK National Health Service, email: support@bddfoundation.org. 

To find a BDD trained clinician in your area, visit the IOCDF resource directory.

Fact: Anyone can get BDD. 

• Both men and women – about 40% of people with BDD are men, and about 60% are women.
• People of almost any age (from age 4-5 up into old age):
• BDD most often begins in early adolescence.
• Two-thirds of people with BDD experience onset of the disorder before age 18.
• People of any race and ethnicity, socioeconomic class, and people from around the world
• Muscle Dysmorphia sometimes referred to as “bigorexia” or “reverse anorexia,” a subtype of BDD, is the belief that one’s body is not sufficiently muscular and large enough. This presentation mostly affects men.

BDD is not about vanity. In fact, vanity is the polar opposite to what those with BDD experience. The definition of vanity is ‘excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements’. Although the safety behaviours associated with BDD may appear vain, the reality is that people with BDD are extremely self-critical and unkind to themselves. This misconception is one that compounds shame and prevents individuals coming forward for support.

No, these are two separate diagnoses. The main difference between eating disorders and BDD is that someone with an eating disorder is worried about their body weight and shape, which lead to behaviours that are aimed at trying to lose or control weight. BDD usually doesn’t involve worries about being too fat or weighing too much. BDD involves an intense preoccupation with a specific perceived flaw in appearance (such as facial features or skin), which may seem minor or be unnoticeable to others. Restricted eating may only be employed to try and alter those perceived flaws. Some people have both BDD and an eating disorder. An additional diagnosis of an eating disorder and BDD can occur when an individual fulfills criteria for one of the eating disorders and is also preoccupied and distressed by perceived defects in their appearance, which is unrelated to their weight and shape (for example their skin or nose).

No, Body Dysmorphic Disorder was first recognised in 1891, dispelling the myth that it is a new condition. It was first described by Italian psychiatrist, Enrico Morselli and referred to as ‘dysmorphophobia’. BDD has existed long before social media was invented. Whether it is increasing due to social media use is yet to be determined, and more research is needed. It is clear that body dissatisfaction is on the rise, and that social media use can fuel BDD symptoms but the development of BDD is more complicated than reducing it to a single cause. The diagnosis of BDD is slowly increasing, but this is likely due to the increase in awareness and understanding.

While body dissatisfaction is somewhat common, BDD goes beyond normal insecurities. The impact on daily life and the intensity of symptoms experienced in BDD is profound, and not something everyone with body image concerns experience.