Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a body-image disorder in which people become obsessed and show excessive preoccupation over a single flaw, even if this is not visible to people around them. It’s normal to dislike a part of your body, but it’s not normal for it to interfere with your daily activities.
We hear about anorexia and bulimia, but people are not aware of BDD since nobody talks about it, and its time to raise awareness since it can have an atrocious effect on your life and it can be prevented.
Here are the 8 signs that you might have BDD:
1. You camouflage excessively a certain part of your body (typically your face) with certain body positions, clothing or make up
You cannot stand your crooked teeth or your beauty marks, maybe even the invisible muffin-top you believe you have, so you try to camouflage this so you can feel better about yourself, although, in your mind, it's still visible no matter how hard you try.
2. You feel like when people look at you the only thing they can see is your “flaw”
You get so insecure when someone looks at you because you believe they're staring at the minimal imperfection you have.
3. When you look at yourself in the mirror the only thing you see is the big invisible flaw that does not leave you alone
It really never goes away. Its like the whole mirror only focuses on the part of your body you're the most insecure about and the one you obsess over.
4. You never believe the compliments you receive, even if they’re given to you often. (you’ll try to convince others of their ugliness)
You will actually convince others of your ugliness, and point out the imperfections on your body. Sometimes they'll think it is because you want attention, but they don't know how you feel inside.
5. You often pick your skin because you can’t stand the “flaw” you have
You just want it to disappear.
6. You sometimes try to skip social gatherings just because you think you look ugly
Go out in public with this "ginormous imperfection" on my face? No, thanks.
7. You compare the body part you obsess over to the other girl/boy’s body part
You do this all the time, and it makes you feel worse; even if in reality your body part and theirs is not so different at all.
8. Whenever you take a picture, you have a preset body angle so that your flaw does not show. That’s why you hate group pictures.
Please don't take my preset spot on the pictures.
9. People seriously think you are fishing for compliments when you point out your flaw
And it's so annoying because you don't know how to make them understand that you lose sleep obsessing over it, and thinking of ways that you can hide it.
If you can relate to any of these, click here: http://www.rhodeislandhospital.org/services/body-dysmorphic-disorder-program/questionnaires.html to take a self-test that can helps suggest if you have BDD, although it will not give you a definite diagnosis, it will tell you if you need to go talk to a mental health professional.
I'm with you.
