What Is Body Dysmorphia?

By james

Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky

Article Sources

Medical Expert

More About Us

If asked, most people could list a few things they would change about their appearance if they could. Maybe there is a gap between their teeth, or they think of themselves as too thin or too fat. They may even cringe slightly when they look in the mirror or change the way they dress to mask these perceived flaws.

People who experience body dysmorphia, however, are consumed by the things they believe are wrong with their bodies. They can become obsessed, trying to think of ways to change their bodies to look the way they think they should look. They may even engage in risky behaviors to bring about those changes. Here are some things to know about body dysmorphia.

1. What Are the General Signs of Body Dysmorphia?

People with body dysmorphia engage in extreme behaviors to either overcome or avoid the problem. They may check mirrors constantly, picking at skin flaws or trying out poses that hide the part of their body that they despise. Others avoid mirrors altogether, trying to forget that the problem area even exists.

Body dysmorphia can be difficult to diagnose because of the intense shame associated with the maligned body part. Those who suffer from this problem are often reluctant to discuss it, even with a trusted therapist. Because they may also feel that their assessment is correct, they are likely to be resistant to any suggestion that there’s something wrong with their judgment that needs to be addressed.