In the post, I explore the mental condition known as body dysmorphic disorder and the devastating impact it can have on self-image. The post is intended to offer insight and hope, not despair.

While you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a qualm with an aspect of their appearance, in some cases self-image surpasses mere negativity. Body dysmorphia is a condition in which one regards themself with such crippling negativity that it impacts their life. As with any disorder, the way it affects individuals varies, but this condition can interfere with both functionality and happiness. Today I’m going to explore some insight into body dysmorphia to understand its impact on self-image and how it can affect one’s daily interactions.

Am I normal? Do people look at me and see something deformed? Do people on the street notice me and feel disgusted? Are my flaws on full display for the world to see? To an outsider, it probably seems ludicrous that a person would ask themselves these questions. Most people who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) become preoccupied with negative aspects of their appearance that other people cannot see. BDD is a mental health disorder defined by a preoccupation with at least one perceived defect in one’s appearance. Even though the perceived “flaw” is likely very minor or nonexistent, the preoccupation with it can cause distress, embarrassment, and shame. Harboring such intense negative feelings about oneself can cause the sufferer to withdraw from their life and avoid social settings to hide their appearance from others. This can lead to antisocial behaviors, anxiety, and depression.

At the same time, BDD is crippling in its own right. Suffers of BDD may also struggle with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), as their preoccupation with their perceived defects can lead to obsessive and ritualistic behavior. People with BDD might repeatedly check their image, seek constant reassurance, spend a large portion of time preoccupied with appearance, and compare themselves to others. It is also common for BDD sufferers to engage in different procedures to try and amend their perceived flaws. Unfortunately, no amount of reassurance or cosmetic procedures will likely rectify the situation, as the negative self-image is something that exists in the head and not due to anything on the skin. BDD can also co-exist with other disorders that can trigger symptoms, such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, OCD, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Skin picking compulsions and surgical disfigurement can also influence BDD. Overall, BDD is something likely caused by an unhealthy mindset, though there may be other influences.

Unfortunately, the digital era makes image a massive preoccupation. Every day, the average consumer is inundated with thousands of images of products, and to better sell products, images are manipulated. Though some companies are making strides to show real people and embrace what the media deems “flaws” (such as stretch marks, cellulite, and acne), we still live in a world saturated in Photoshop, Facetune, and other “flaw correcting” apps. Even though most adults know that these images aren’t what people look like, that doesn’t mean people don’t secretly compare themselves to them. And, of course, the impact that these false images can have on young people is alarming. When we compare ourselves at our least glamorous moments to someone in their best retouched photo, we’re bound to feel poorly about ourselves. People don’t have to stop altering their photos if they don’t want to (though it would be nice if magazines and advertisements did). But it would be nice if there was more exposure to normal bodies and faces.

When it comes to BDD, one of the most challenging aspects is being able to form an identity. It can be difficult and confusing to have a firm grasp on who you are when no one around you can even see the flaws that preoccupy so much of your time. The inability to form an accurate self-image or stable identity can be devastating. It can lead to emptiness, sorrow, fear, and confusion. But that doesn’t mean it has to be permanent. Cognitive behavioral therapy, and in some cases medication, can help alleviate symptoms of BDD. The key to breaking the toxic and binding cycle of BDD is to change the way you think. Rewiring your brain will be challenging, especially if you have been enforcing a specific negative message to yourself for many years. However, you can write a new narrative, and slowly with practice, you can even start to believe it.

These words probably won’t help anybody who suffers from BDD, but they still bear being said. You are beautiful the way you are. I guarantee you that the “flaw” you fixate on is not something other people notice. I put a lot of emphasis on allowing yourself to feel the way you feel, whether that be love, grief, anger, etc. People need to stop being afraid to confront their feelings and allow themselves the opportunity to deal with hardship as it is without making excuses for it. But one emotion that you shouldn’t have to grapple with is inadequacy. One of the hardest things to do in life is to confront your feelings of inferiority. This becomes doubly challenging when you don’t even know if your inferiorities are real. What is real is your happiness and functionality. Fight against the voice in your head telling you that you are unworthy or that there is something defective about you. With enough reinforcement, this can become the dominant voice.