Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) are extremely concerned about a perceived or slight flaw in their physical appearance. They may be fixated on a specific part of their body (e.g. their skin, nose, hair, legs), or describe themselves more generally as “ugly” or “deformed”.

BDD usually starts during late childhood or early adolescence, and is distinguished from normal appearance concerns among this age group by the time, distress, and interference caused by their worries. Young people with BDD spend lots of time checking their appearance in mirrors, comparing themselves to others, and attempting to “fix” or camouflage their appearance with makeup, skin products, and clothing. In some cases, people with BDD will seek medical interventions, such as dermatology treatments and plastic surgery.

Sadly, BDD is often associated with negative feelings, such as disgust, shame, and depression, so accessing effective treatment is very important. Psychologists at CAO have a special interest in treating BDD, and have published research studies in the area.

BDD can be treated using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and in some cases, medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be helpful.

Often, people with BDD wish to have cosmetic surgery. Unfortunately, research shows that cosmetic procedures do not improve BDD symptoms, and in some cases symptoms can worsen. At CAO, we also offer pre-cosmetic surgery assessments to determine an individual’s suitability for surgery.

You can learn more about BDD in our blog post.