Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) | What it looks like and the treatment

[@ocdandanxiety]

Do you struggle with BDD? What's helps you? 👍🏻

[@jordan9671]

ERP

[@arnavroy7925]

Nothing helps me

[@moeezjavaid1754]

Does watching porn and fapping regularly cause this my face has become so ugly when I started this habit I’m 18 now like weak face

[@emailkirsie]

@@arnavroy7925 I have exactly the same. I've lost al hope. My thought go out to you 🍀

[@kindlevarela8120]

i feel like it was only bdd in the beginning, i thought i had early onset scoliosis, but once i tried getting rid of it i think it only made it worse. i would only sleep on my right side and exercise my left side. i couldn’t stop thinking about it like i’m constantly trying to twist to one side to make sure i don’t curve my spine

[@megwiseman3721]

I have body dysmorphia and when people try to reassure me, or compliment me about anything, I think they are lying. Even with therapy and recognizing these thought patterns, I still have that little, annoying voice in the back of my head that says people only say nice things to you because they feel bad for you.

[@psy__cha6898]

I can totally relate with you, which sucks cuz when I say please don't compliment me much it' makes me uncomfortable, and the other way and people think that I'm doing this ti gain more attention and more assurance

[@alayna1772]

Exsactely, I think this so many times

[@SparQz]

Like when my wife tells me "my size" is fine... I feel like it's not entirely true. Maybe just my own insecurity though. Not sure I can't read thoughts yet. :-/

[@jojogorkis2178]

Thank you for expressing my exact thoughts! I hate seeing myself in the mirror or to be photographed! I constantly compare myself to other girls and think what I would do if I were so pretty or how easy my life would be. Some days I just want to die just because I hate myself so much. And if I hear compliments it just makes me even more sad, because I don’t believe that and I know it is just people are being polite 😢. I want to undergo a plastic surgery, but there is so much I want to change that I just want to give up!

[@Tristan-so2eb]

@@jojogorkis2178 Please don't do surgery! This sounds 100% like body dismorphic disorder. Psychotherapy will fix your problem, not surgery. Thoughts like "If I just didn't have this [physical "defect" or other problem], my life would be so much better" is the biggest delusion we can tell ourselves.

[@carina_11]

Gotta love how family members think you’re just narcissistic, when you just want to die because you’re so ashamed of who you are. They think you’re over dramatic and just seek attention, but guess what? We don’t even LIKE or accept compliments because we don’t even see what they see (supposedly).

[@loganwinter4life]

Usually the people with body dysmorphic disorder are usually the more attractive ones

[@Jude2.2.2]

I have bdd and I just feel so hopeless because I’m scared it’s going to be like this forever. I feel like I’m wasting my life and I don’t know how I’ll be able to keep enduring this. Edit: Hi I wrote this 3 years ago when I was feeling so intensely insecure and hopeless. Today I feel like such a different person, yes sometimes I feel insecure but I got through it and it's 100% possible for you too. Just know that no feeling lasts forever and you can make it through this

[@z.keeler37]

i feel the exact same way, remember you’re not alone❣️

[@aylinkilic1285]

I feel the same

[@bonniepage1433]

Me too, I said this verbatim today

[@misskarinaleigh]

Me too 😔

[@klapaucius5799]

Same here. But i feel this is part of the same loop. Bdd is in the ocd spectrum and all this black and white thoughts or statements that create more worry and anxiety out of things that have not happened yet is what helps to perpetuate it. I hope you’re doing good now. 💜

[@enimalnaide7767]

Yep, I have it with my acne scars, ears, nose, height, weight, smile and the list goes on. There's not a second that passed without me obsessing and worrying about everything :(

[@ocdandanxiety]

thanks for sharing! You're awesome! I'm so sorry for what you're experiencing. See if you can find someone to help on www.iocdf.org

[@enimalnaide7767]

@@ocdandanxiety I actually visit a psychiatrist and he has put me on antidepressants. I'm doing way better that I used to but the problem is pretty much still there.

[@vkrreddy4908]

@@enimalnaide7767 same problem bro iam suffering pimples rashes obessions on 👂 ears

[@topeee]

Wjat the hell? U look good in the picture dude what the hell are u even talking about

[@enimalnaide7767]

@@topeee I actually do NOT think it has to do with how you actually look like. It's just a mental disorder where intrusive thoughts are present

[@Terry-hw1ws]

I have body dysmorphia about my eye lids, eye lashes, hair not being wavy enough, double chin, stomach and ribs not being visible, chest, fat arms, wrists, fingers, thighs calves and wide shoulders. They literally make me suicidal.

[@ocdandanxiety]

Thanks for sharing what you're experiencing! It sounds so difficult to go through. I hope you can find some relief soon. If you haven't already, you can find someone on www.iocdf.org to help.

[@chloecox8793]

I constantly obsess over the size of my butt, thighs, hips not being big enough. brows not being thick enough. Always wanting nose job. I spend hours a day worrying about it and cannot even feel happy and it ruins everytime i try to do fun things with people

[@chloecox8793]

When i was like 8 i remember obsessing over my chin and ears and always feeling like the ugly friend

[@soniasilva819]

@@ocdandanxiety and when you had BDD caused for a bad procedure, the defect exist and I can't resolve it because there is no many doctors experts in resolve bad fillers procedures. But in this case I was normal and with this bad procedure I don't feel myself so am I with BDD?

[@aylinkilic1285]

@@chloecox8793 How are you doing now? I have the same obsession. I hate how my butt looks, how my hips look. I want them bigger and that thought doesn’t leave my head, it stays there everyday, every moment..

[@urbanachiever54]

I did not realize until recently that I've suffered from BDD for years. At times it feels debilitating, and it has absolutely changed how I live my life. I have finally sought professional help with a focus on CBT. I am desperate to change my thinking patterns and I hope it works. I have sympathy for anyone with this disorder. Thanks for the informative video.

[@KC-dx4qt]

Proud of you for doing CBT, I hope you find some relief.

[@xoniye3573]

Hey, how did CBT work

[@urbanachiever54]

@@xoniye3573 It continues to be an ongoing project, and it's certainly not a "quick fix." But I do think I've gotten better at catching intrusive thoughts and reframing them in a way that has more to do with reality. For me personally I'm combining CBT with medication (Wellbutrin) and I think it has helped me feel more stabilized. I'll never be perfect but I'm better than when I started.

[@tamara7301]

I don’t know if I have it, but it feels as if I do. I remember seeing my side profile for the first time when I was 6 and thinking it was awful. A couple years later, I started obsessing over my apperance. Now, I can’t go a minute without thinking about how ugly I am. I’ve lost all of my friends, bc I don’t want them to see my face. Because of this, I have also developed social anxiety and a compulsive shopping disorder. At the same time I feel as if I don’t have it. It feels as if I want to have it, so that I can blame my uglyness on something

[@beckysberries4441]

I feel the same way, I hate my side profile and feel extremely anxious and upset going out in public so I never want to. I also hate my ears and boobs, I think they’re both too big. My ears I hide by never putting my hair up or behind my ears and my boobs I only ever wear big t shirts, sports bras, and wear my hair over my chest. And when I was little I thought I was so fat, even tho looking back now I realize I was a literal tooth pick. Now that I’ve gone through puberty I look even fatter now

[@tamara7301]

@@beckysberries4441 I’m so sorry you feel this way. Sending love and hugs

[@charumohon9094]

@@beckysberries4441 hey , i understand your problem. Please visit a therapist. Your problem can be cured....

[@tammypham3984]

I've been insecure about my nose since I was 7, and it was definitely NOT something "people couldn't see." When I was 7, my aunt said I would need a nosejob. In 5th grade a girl compared my nose to a Proboscis monkey. In 8th grade a little 6th grader told me my nose was big, and I bawled my eyes out like a baby. I don't know if this is body dysmorphia, but I would purposely avoid cameras, going out, or I would take my frustration on friends and families who didn't understand. It made it hard for me to present confidently or take leadership roles because I thought people treated me based on how I looked (ie Halo effect). I wonder if I would ever feel this way if my flaws weren't pointed out.

[@syedanusratjahan977]

Same

[@alayna1772]

Yeah same I feel like my nose is really big too

[@Masamune364]

People have pointed out my flaw a few times and because of it im thinking about it all the time, i know that its not something that its only in my mind...

[@WhoaDavie]

Even into my 30s now and it sucks! I hope all of us going through this gets better soon. ❤️

[@DazzleDaveLFC]

I have suffered with BDD for 30 years. I am male, 44 and growing up I found others seemed to mistake my protective behaviours as vanity, when it couldn't be further from truth. Plus BDD doesn't go away with the issue with your appearance going away, it simply moves to another body part. It's a nightmare

[@rachna0367]

How r u now ?

[@bethelodutusin-ih2rw]

Yea exactly

[@bethelodutusin-ih2rw]

Like I'm fed up want to focus on my life

[@Michelle-by9fp]

Wow this hits the nail on the head. This describes how I've always felt. Gosh, thank you. There is at least comfort in knowing I am the only one who struggles with this, and knowing how to fight it.

[@Ifailedeverything]

Research has also shown that people with BDD do not perceive faces or recognize emotions the same way than people without BDD. There is a certain pattern of looking at faces that is the norm. BDD sufferers have abnormal visual processing when perceiving faces. BDD patients have abnormal memory function in that they remember specific details very well but not generalities. They literally cannot see the forest for the trees.

[@ocdandanxiety]

Thanks for the information! Very helpful!

[@madjidtlm7666]

Absolutely. You are describing me 🤒

[@YasLove111]

Thank you, I suffer with OCD and BDD and I find your videos very comforting. My obsessions even come into my dreams, and sometimes I feel so uncomfortable that I want to rip off my skin ❤❤

[@ines9006]

This video is so on point, you just put into words everything I feel and can't describe to other people. Sometimes it gets so bad that I don't even want to leave my house, also people always comment on my body and that makes it even worse. If I gain weight there is always someone that insist on tell me even though I know it. I feel like I will never be truly happy with myself and I'm afraid that over time this will ruin my relationship with my boyfriend and any other relationship. I have body dysmorphia about my legs, always think they are too big and fat and always wish they were skinnier but even when I was skinnier I wasn't happy, so I don't know what to do or where to go for help. Thank you for this video!

[@deepbreathandheal]

I'm the same with my legs! Ur not alone, it sucks! Did u find a way to make it any better? Im struggling a lot and sometimes I just try to hide from everyone, avoid wearing shorts in summer and a lot of other shit :( hope ur doing better!

[@glenicasdream]

I can sadly relate. It's like you just imagine a dismal future for yourself

[@topeee]

Getting severe acne and then acne scars is the worse especially knowing that these severe scars wont disappear no matter how you try. They might be lessened but it will take years. Great! All these challenges actually help me to be grateful on even the smallest things. It changed how I look into things and how I handle small problems. Sometimes I would just laugh at all the negativity at the moment because they arent even permanent unlike these scars. Idunno, its like a nightmare but a blessing in disguise.

[@Thoughtsonlife7]

You should have much more subscribers! Enjoyed your videos recently.

[@ocdandanxiety]

I appreciate that! This means a lot to me!

[@Huskyzilla]

The judge judy analogy helped a lot. Thanks

[@AB-ut3vf]

I have BDD and obsess over my nose and this video was so helpful! Thank you so much❤️

[@cutesailor007]

Same

[@prestonkirch5909]

Sometimes it is a real flaw, not a perceived flaw, that others can see. But they are hyper-focused on it and see it as catastrophic. They think about it all day long as well, interferes with their functioning and want to hide and drop out of school and out of life. I think you need to adjust the great video to account for those that really do have flaws but find them life-changing or feel worthless as a result.

[@Drew6132]

Thank you for this video, I have suffered this most of my life. Some days, it's crippling! I hope we can all challenge these unhelpful thoughts.

[@seyramvittor]

This video made me cry. Idk know whether or not I have BDD but I'm a teen and I've been very insecure and anxious about my stomach for almost 3 years. I always try to cover up all the time, tugging and tugging my shirt or whering loose clothes but I'm always unhappy. There are so many intrusive thoughts all day. At home, at school, church. I just don't know

[@kleineelfie7186]

Youre so wonderful. Thank you for posting!

[@ocdandanxiety]

Thanks so much! I wish you well!

[@kleineelfie7186]

I do have a question though- What separates "i cant see the blemish/hair/flaw youre looking at" from a hallucination?

[@elinmathilda3688]

I was so in love with this boy and he liked me too, but i never did anything about it because my ears were to big, my nose was to prominent, my smile was so ugly, my eyes were to small, i look ugly and everyone can see it. The reality was none of these things were true. For example my nose is not even that big and prominent but i imagined it cuz i was always thinking about it. BDD has ruined my life and i have spent so much time on "fixing" myself. The boy liked me for me, and BDD ruined my life now he's gone. I would also leave the classroom so much to check myself in the mirror

[@cutesailor007]

Yea it does ruin life

[@madmark2588]

Yes I've suffered with this for over 35 years some days I'm fine I'm in my 50s now living with depression as well but you carry on good video and he's great the way he talks about it and it's true

[@sanikasuryawanshi4463]

Thanks for this video 😊

[@mgee6331]

its BDD when you judge yourself....its not BDD when people judge you and call you ugly

[@gemmasantoni24]

thank you so much for this video

[@Ash-vw4yt]

I have Bdd. I obsess over my nose, teeth and pores on my nose as well as my hair and body hair. I spend sometimes a hour picking my facial hair and have picked my skin until it bled several times. I try not to look in the mirror ever and I don’t like to look at people in the eye I always try to hide my face when I talk to people. I’m 32 I was diagnosed with it when I was 15. It’s hell. It’s very hard to live with.

[@rodolfoolivar5925]

were the the same if you want someone to talk to email me. [e-mail]

[@romanbravo4235]

@@rodolfoolivar5925 I have the Same problem and I’d love to just have somebody to talk to

[@khrushchevcato3006]

...same story. I suffered for years not knowing why. Then I read about bdd and realized what I had and thatI wasn't alone. I have largely overcome it by challenging my fears. The vast majority of time People never responded as negatively as I thought they would. That built my confidence and made it easier to face my fears.

[@laurabaykova4148]

Before I used to think that perfect is what matters and kept getting sad cause I wasn't skinny enough or having a perfect nose or idk But now I think it's cool cause it's what makes you special cause no one else has what you have so we are lucky to be the way we are

[@yasnil_7878]

I'm always really self conscious about my stomach sticking out so I constantly will suck my stomach in just a bit to make it "better" I also will always ask other people if my outfits looks good because I don't feel that good about it

[@hughiedoherty4914]

The video is so true . When looking for self help and joining numerous groups generally people just try to offer support but none offer any help to self care and combat it Do you guys recommend any slef care ?

[@StellaMae777]

I have BDD and Trichotillomania and never was treated when I was young. I accepted it as normal, that I was just insecure. Because of the BDD I got a bunch of huge tattoos to try to cover my skin and body that I hated. Now I have severe depression and anxiety over my tattoos and regret them. I hate my body more that I could have over fathomed. Many days I think about ending my life because my tattoos that I hate and regret are a 24/7 obsession. I feel hideous. I thought they would help me love my body and only made me hate it more. Bdd is a horrible mind disease. Please get help if you are struggling :( tattoos and plastic surgery are not the answer. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with either, but when the decison to get either is fueled by hating your body don't!

[@Fadi-hb7xx]

I've had a rhinoplasty 2 months ago, though it was a minor op that only removed a little from the bridge and everything was kept the same, i think now i have a nose BDD, every day something wake me up at 5 am and tells me that you ruined yourself, looking in the mirror all day. The funny thing is that nobody even noticed that i did a rhinoplasty, it was that minor, nobody saw me and told me you look different, even the few people that knew i did the op they were like they need a close up to my nose to even notice the difference. Common sense is on side and what my brain is telling me all day is on another side. I hope to bypass this BDD, maybe i am lucky because my case is definitely not as severe as others, thank god i didn't touch the tip of my nose in that closed rhinoplasty. Tc

[@ibuydigital1574]

Dealing with it right now, it's a God damn curse.

[@cutesailor007]

Yes brother

[@eggen6183]

I’ve gotten BDD literally just from people making negative remarks about my appearance and it has just spiralled out of control so much that it affects me so badly during daily life. Like literally to the point where I can’t focus on anything because I just get freaked out about my appearance. I’ve spoken about how bad I see myself to friends and they say they think I should be medicated for thinking I look that way but I’m still so worried about appearance, to the point where it really affects any relationships I have with girls and I just don’t feel ‘worthy’ of anyone at this point.

[@Masamune364]

Thats exactly what happened to me! Because of people pointing out my flaw, now i suffer from it!

[@iddefusco]

Even if all your fears and insecurities are true, you are still worthy and deserving of love. ❤

[@surayaiffah4967]

It all just feels hopeless. To be realistic, I don't think I will ever be free of BDD. What helps is to practice mindfulness and even that doesn't work at times. (I've learned that) Sometimes we just have to let ourselves feel the pain/frustration/shame/disgust/sadness of ugliness so that it becomes a part of our experience, not a part of our fundamental/core self. Somehow thought-challenging doesn't work for me quite well nor does exposure (speaking as someone who has been through CBT). So yeah, suffering doesn't ever end, we learn to live with it. And be okay with having to live with it. One of the most clearest explanations of BDD on youtube. Great job!

[@Xbjejd]

Ya u are right I also have bdd and whenever I see my face in the mirror I can't say how frustrated I feel I feel like why I'm so ugly everything is ugly in me 😭😭😭

[@rohitchandran97]

it's nt true ... trust me ... it takes time ... i hv seen lot's of improvements in me. from being house bond to be able to socialize to feel secure at most times . i do feel anxious and insecure at times but who doesn't ?! but it's all ur mind playing game with u . most times it's jst anxiety + negative body image + lack of self esteem making u hate ur body nd not the flaw itself. small flaw doesn't make big difference. remember people see u from multi dimension view point and what u see in image is jst 2 dimension tht too as far as ur eyes can capture. so dnt gv a damn abt how u r projected to others . it's beyond our control and beside life is beyond looks after 30s . even the biggest billionaire is bald . so in general dnt gv much importance to looks.

[@anngel_aa]

lol it's hard spending so much time being sad about the way i look and things i can't change. really need to get over it idk how

[@gj9157]

Surgery

[@rodolfoolivar5925]

whats happened on your nose ? i got acne scar on my nose and im always looking on the mirror

[@GojiraEdits69]

@@gj9157That’s one thing you shouldn’t do when you have bbd.

[@edwardang631]

i think i suffer from BDD i cant stop thinking i look like a pig, whenever i go out i feel everyones looking at me and judging me laughing at me and my flaws. im afraid to tell my parents or friends because they will just say i am stupid and i look good.

[@khanhvovan5227]

i've suffered this for 3 years , hix i wanna cry so much

[@aylinkilic1285]

I struggle with BDD very bad. The thoughts just won’t leave my head THE ENTIRE DAY. I feel ugly, i feel insecure and i feel very anxious.. Sometimes i even throw up because of these feelings that put so much pressure on me. It feels like it will never go away and i will never get rid of these feelings, it feels like i will never be happy again, it just feels like i will never get to enjoy life. I have searched for cosmetic procedures to get that part of my body fixed and i know that i could, but even that thought doesn’t reassure. I just want to cry all day.

[@kayra5763]

iyi gelen herhangi bir şeye rastladın mı,gerçekten kendim göremiyorum çünkü. PS i hope ur doing better

[@shlomo-11]

I’ve been diagnosed since I was 12 with BDD. I’m in my twenties now, and spent 6 hours trying to get ready and still didn’t think I looked good enough. This has been my life for years now, and I shut myself inside my home bc the obsessing has gotten so bad. Even with therapy it’s a struggle, and the obsession has gotten worse. I suppose it’s bordering into OCD territory now, and I have avoided being photographed for years now. It’s a long recovery road, and i have no idea if itll get better. i weigh 130 now, lost 90 lbs over the years, but its still not enough. i obsess over everything. the number isny small enough, stay strong everyone though.

[@theannajoycreative]

so good thank you

[@samk522]

Yuuup, hairline BDD. Constant checking for recession, trying to figure out if my hairline always had that one feature, counting hair fall, asking family if they think my hair is thinning over and over, obsessively trying to make sure my hair is just so when I'm out and about (and sometimes even when I'm not), etc., etc. Feels bad man.

[@anthonystitt3052]

Totally had that when I was in my early 20s. I'm 50 now. I'm not a professional so I don't want to give you unsolicited advice that may not help. But - one thing that I will say - unconditional self-acceptance is key to beating BDD and any anxiety disorder. There's a writer/psychologist named Albert Ellis who writes quite a bit on unconditional self-acceptance. Read his book "How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable" and maybe it will help... Best of luck!

[@princerockson1404]

@@anthonystitt3052 am 21 and I heard 9 times out of 10 this theme is just your ocd playing and nothing is wrong with the hair, was this the case for you ? Can never convince my thoughts and feelings even though my hair looks the same

[@mimoaa2652]

its ruining my life

[@Shard_AV]

I searched for BDD because I've noticed how every time I catch a glimpse of myself in the glass I want to stop and make sure I look fine. When I walk through the hallways of my school I suddenly get really anxious about my hair. Because of the mask I don't really worry about my face that often, but before the pandemic, I stared covering my face when I smile or laugh because it just looks ugly.( I smile too much) I tend to avoid looking at mirrors when I go to the restrooms, because I know I could just stare at my reflection and point out every single flaw I see for myself, then I start feeling anxious and depressed about my looks, I almost had a panic attack until I finally look away and calmed myself. I think I might try to ask for a diagnosis soon, not just for BDD but for ADHD as well, but that's a whole other story. Who do you go to for a diagnosis? A therapist??/gen

[@anikawon3353]

Bro me too it’s like the bdd moves on to diff flaws I have. Like if my face is covered with the mask it’s my hair that I keep on fixing.

[@katmonk2196]

I analyze backhanded compliments, they are not good for people like me who have BDD , thats why I don’t take anyone seriously when giving me a compliment. Im constantly hating the way i look

[@apartmentsixeleven4093]

The thing that is so hard to get past is "I am SEEING IT so how can it not be there?" My vision is near perfect, and I am not on a hallucinogenic. To clearly see the flaw and then say "this isn't real" is a little crazy to me. The exaggerated importance we put on it seems to be more of the problem. Right?

[@Tzaltochnie1]

You are so right. When I face people I can test if they don’t ridicule me and endure the anxiety that’s te cbt for bdd, and that’s ok and all. But when I look at my body I still hate it so much. I just haven’t looked at my body for three weeks now but the thought are even worse… I guess something that could help is. I have good moments and bad moments. I think bdd makes a mentale picture of your worst body image and keep thinking youl like this always.

[@jlc5271]

What about someone who doesnt have an imagined flaw but has something aesthetically unideal that can't be fixed (my eyes are too close together)? How do you stop thinking about this all the time and come to accept it? I have other things I dislike like my nose but I know I can fix that with surgery I get depressed over my looks and the fact that I got my dad's genetics but my siblings didn't. Sometimes I manage to focus on other things instead and then am much happier. I also sometimes feel embarrassed to be seen by others

[@hellogoodbye1006]

I also struggle with it, and I have found that taking time off social media is best, but I also took up a new hobby which I enjoy help distract me momentarily about it. This can be learning an instrument or learning a new skill. I have the same issue as you, but my biggest concerns is that my dark eye circles and my big nose matched with my thin lips, so to mask this I usually lean into wearing glasses and exercise because I think It will take attention from my actual face.

[@seasonsend4869]

I told my mom about my body dysmorphia and she doesn't understand and totally forgot (I hate my stomach) It gets to the point where I'm really sad for a while

[@briarrose4747]

My face is my main obcession,especially skin stuff.like wrinkles,acne,scars,unwanted hair.I feel so ugly sometimes its depressing and makes me wanna cry im also constantly checking my apperance in reflective things including the mirror

[@dadofgio]

My problem is not that I am unhappy with something about my body, it's when people tease and laugh at my supposed defect. You get enough of those then you start to get insecure about it.

[@tallieleppala7690]

What if symptoms are only present for like a week, and then subside for a few weeks and then reoccur? This has been happening to me for YEARS.

[@onedayapp3534]

I have acne and acne scars, I know they are there and they do actually look bad, the problem is thinking about It all day long and having low self steem. How to deal with anxiety and overthinking over something that It is actually true

[@kimberlyacevedo2975]

I struggle with BDD on a daily basis throughout the entire day 🙁. I feel so unattractive because I don’t have the “perfect body” and my hair thinning. Everyone says the total opposite but I just think they are saying that to make me feel better. I avoid social activities because of this. My anxiety and depression get really bad at times 🙁

[@adamdukey7961]

Im the same even at work i go in the bathroom a lot cuz im so anxious about the way i look or wat ppl think about my looks

[@anathema987654321]

That is not imaginary. The pain is real for sure I know it is. That consumes me. I wish I had the courage to end the suffer. That’s my only regret.

[@yoohoo1230]

When I was younger like around 8 I’d stand in front of the mirror everyday and hate my mold on my chin and stomach, it went away but suddenly came back when I started working out, everyday I have to put on makeup, and check if my pants are too tight when I come to school I have perfume and go to the bathroom to check myself, if my stomach is showing too much if my waist isn’t snatched enough if there’s a ounce of sweat on my body, I get intrusive thoughts and is composed to work out excessively 4 times a week I don’t see any results and my weight isn’t going down. I feel extreme guilt eating junk food, or feel the need to look at kcal. Throughout the day I check myself in the mirror 5 times a day

[@JessiV111]

Ugh all I can do is cry because everything you’re saying is me except that the problems are really there and others do see them .

[@psy__cha6898]

I just now after 21 years of my life came to realise I'm diagnosed with bdd , about every part of my body. Even my skin colour this is horrible

[@himbodumbo5572]

I finally understand what im experiencing

[@davidburnette4857]

My acne scars and acne have beaten me down for years.I’m 42 years old and ashamed of my looks

[@dislikeavocadosfr268_]

I've OCD , BDD & misophonia..... I've low self esteem and sometimes it feels like i should give up.🙁

[@c-raegamez8795]

i have bdd and i always ask my family or somebody i know all the time if i have something on me or i look ugly and i can never control it but it happens alot with people with bdd

[@skyking6989]

Didn't have a major problem until I lost 100 lbs. I see everything wrong with me. It's horrible 😞

[@peggysyri3193]

My main focus was my eyes. I'd wear sunglasses to hide them and avoid leaving the house for years. It robbed me of relationships, friendships and my studies. I found a CBT therapist and slowly I stopped body checking. It's been 2 years since then. Currently I have OCD though so it seems like there's no hope for me

[@user-is3kr4sd9z]

you give me hope.

[@peggysyri3193]

@@user-is3kr4sd9z I feel you, I know what it's like. It took me 7 years and visiting 3 therapists. CBT and ERP are the best. The solution is to cut off the compulsions, since BDD is under the OCD umbrella, they work similarly. Good luck to you 🙌

[@jamlaw]

The sad thing is that these days plastic surgery (and filters and stuff online) is getting really normalized so there is that added idea "hey, it's OKAY to hate your body and try to hide it and look fake and plastic... and you will be loved and people will be more attracted to you, if you do". It sets up this idea that you can and should look a certain way and/or fix that perceived flaw, "because it's actually probably a real flaw that you can fix, no biggie!". The world I see is valuing computer and anime-style looks more and more and it's telling everyone that you can and should aim to look like that, or have certain features. I think that is so sad for us all. I wonder how much that affects those who have BDD who don't want to resort to extreme measures like plastic surgery, or who realize that trying to fix it that way may not help, anyway, because it's a disorder in your head, right? It feels like you are stuck... that's what tends to get me the most. Like, are we supposed to love ourselves as we are, or fix everything because we can, these days, and that's what's becoming "normal" and expected? So many mixed messages in the world.

[@gunsblazing5796]

So I didn't know BDD was a thing until watching this video, but I feel I may have it. I'm not sure if I do but I'm always checking my appearance before leaving my house and taking forever to pick an outfit. It's got to the point where I avoid any public situation. I am literally starting to loose friends because of this too which gets me down a lot. It's mostly my weight I worry about, but also my hair and my forehead. I tend to suck my belly in and hold it in if I'm out in public and I feel like it's really effecting my life now. Can someone help me please, I'm not sure if I should seek a doctor because I don't wanna sound like an idiot. Could this maybe be symptoms of BDD?

[@ankushsingla4546]

you should get professional help. there is no shame for getting it. lots of people are struggling from this. so don't feel like you will look stupid or anything.

[@laurabaykova4148]

It happens to me. I always look at others and be like I'm not good enough. I always thought that being perfect is what matters but then I realized that is not about that but I still kept being sad. Now I lost a little weight and I started being happier and realized that I'm still like before but in time I realized that I'm not perfect, and no one is perfect but I'm still thinking about it and every time I go outside I always try to look the skinniest as possible

[@honeydew1917]

Is it still considered dysmorphia if I think my breasts are “too small” and want them to be bigger even tho they are already considered on the bigger side? I constantly feel like I need them to grow and grow, but they won’t.

[@madjidtlm7666]

Thank you

[@ocdandanxiety]

You're welcome!

[@tyler-qr5jn]

Yeah... I think have this... Constantly everyday

[@dianeberlin5969]

How about knowing you made yourself ugly by tanning too much in your youth? I did that and now I have sun damaged ugly skin and acne scars so I hate myself because its my own fault. I was diagnosed with BDD when I was 22 and now I'm 57 and its ruined my life.

[@smileyfacesheens123]

i don’t think it’s BDD but i do have excessive thinking recently about my stomach and i’m scared for someone i’m dating to even touch near there or just scared that they’ll think something about it and then i get scared that when they move in i’ll have to be in the same space and vulnerable and they’ll have access to more angles of my body and i just don’t want them to see me as imperfect - i do have ocd but i just don’t know because i realise that it comes from fear and if i accept myself as i am enough then i won’t value their opinion so much but also i’ve been watching your videos and i think i should just try and expose myself to the discomfort but it’s scary like letting go of the image i have of myself from younger as slim and beauty standards do not help either because you think that that’s desirable. of course acknowledging that i am me and if that person is meant for me they’ll accept it is key and if they don’t then whatever but it’s so hard it’s almost like an ego thing that i need to be perfect and i overthink everything like if they see my side profile etc, i’m getting a bit better at it and being honest with the person as well and catching myself and telling myself i am who i am, i’m a human etc but it’s just hard. sorry if this was v rambly i just needed to voice it. thanks for your videos

[@smileyfacesheens123]

move in to their own place not even mine im just anxious about potentially being in a more relaxed environment with them where it’s not a date and i can’t “hide” as much

[@AhhDaniela]

I think I should see a GP as I may have this. I gained 20 kilos over the last couple of years and I feel odd since then. I know I’m not imagining it because there is a scale to prove it. I also know people say “I’m fine, I still look nice”, but I don’t believe it. I eat healthy, train 5 times a week, can’t lose a kilo. It hurts. I don’t wear nice dresses anymore. I love kids, but I’m scared to have one as I may hate my body if I gain more weight. I used to love taking pictures and since I gained weight, I find them very confrontational. Last year I had “the best year of my life”, took time out to travel around 3 continents and then had my wedding… I haven’t posted a single photo or downloaded a video. “I’m busy” I said. The true is that I don’t feel that woman is me when I see me. It hurts.

[@anakawyker]

Do you think an individual who picks their acne to make their skin smooth and shaves their face and neck multiple times a day to make it hairless and smooth fits the description for this disorder? Should that person see a medical professional?

[@ocdandanxiety]

It’s hard to tell without an assessment. I typically look for the motivation behind it and the preoccupation of thoughts. If it’s on their mind a lot of the day, mixed with anxiety, doubts, and the urge to fix then it’s possible. If it’s a preference, then probably not.

[@caileyj3833]

eyeliner is my biggest mistake, i’d do super bold dark eye makeup every day and then when i take it off my eyes feel like they’re the size of pinholes

[@ghuuly2473]

I have issues with being around people. My hair is kind of like a perm, but I didn’t perm it, and every time wind blows, I shake a wrong way, or even sit back and my hair falls backwards I make excuses to go check it, and then I see little patches of skin where I get self conscious. I don’t have acne on my forehead, but I feel it doesn’t look right. And also today, I was in the front seat of a car, and I pulled down the mirror and had a panic attack, because all I thought was how ugly I was, so I crawled in the back seat of the car, and hid for a whole 3 hour car ride, in the most uncomfortable position, with little air. It was so bad in fact I let everyone leave the car when we got home, and I crawled in the window

[@ghuuly2473]

I have issues with this every single day. I’m 14, I have no friends, I’m going into high school, and I can’t even talk to a person without putting a hand on my mouth when I laugh form anxiety of my teeth, I hide in my room and play games, so I can be myself without worrying about my facial construct, or how my hair looks.

[@kayra5763]

hope ur doing better

[@adamdukey7961]

Ugh im the sane about my teeth i have an overbite

[@Luvvserena111]

For a while I assumed I am just super insecure but now I’m starting to think I might have body Dysmorphia my main things I focus on are my jawline is slightly uneven one side of my face is fatter than the other it I don’t like how my lips look from the side one of my eyebrows is higher than the other and one eye is bigger than the other. I can’t see the asymmetricalness in the mirror but with inverted filter I can. I wear makeup everywhere I go and look in every mirror I pass I’m conscious of my appearance constantly in public. I’ve tried to feel confident but I think I might need professional help

[@Masamune364]

Im suffering from this too... its so debilitating

[@daiaimaru5618]

I notice some annoying body defects mostly when I take a selfie with the iphone’s front cam, as it reverts the photo back to original. Then, I searched about that “phenomenon”, and it turned out to be due to something called Mere Exposure Effect.

[@ocdandanxiety]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@nikkinixon8417]

any advice for if you are hyper focused on a flaw that a lot of people have brought up?

[@xoxobellabooxoxo]

i have body dysmorphia about my whole face especially how the side veiw of my face looks when my hair is not in my face and stuff. it is so horrible and i can’t tell if its all my anxiety and in my head and im ok. and im so young, only 15 years old and this has been on my mind since my own uncle SA and abused me. maybe that has caused it. i feel so bad and horrible about myself because i feel like i have so many mental health problems including horrifying ocd i can never be happy and that they will never get better :( im so young and i hate that this is how my mind works

[@kabiin3190]

I mean why people would like a guy with acne all over his face , too hairy ,looks way ahead from his age & Probably roughest looking guy among the group . Society standards are just off the scale .it's just hard trust me

[@z.keeler37]

i’ve literally had multiple dreams recently where i had my ideal face…why is this fuckin disorder haunting me in my sleep😭

[@glisciousful]

I had recently started a new job , and everyone was so nice to me , I was invited to many social events. and everyone wanted to make me feel welcomed. I also got the attention from strangers . The dreaded day came to take the company ID photo . I hate pictures because i feel so hideous and ugly that the thought that my photo would be shown to the whole company at the Monthly company meeting to introduce all the new hires. was a frightening thought. The day came and i almsot called out of work because i didnt want to see my hideous face , but i went and i stayed away from the screens as much as possible so i didn't have to see my photo, and then it was there and i was the 1st picture up there ! i was so embarrassed at how hideous I looked ! my head and face were all deformed . I was so ashamed and i wanted to crawl under a rock . But i also noticed that people didn't even seem bothered or phased . Everyone acted normal, as i seemed normal . Nobody looked at me like ewww whats wrong with the face. Strangely i saw the most attractive guy in the whole office start giving me looks, BDD has confused me so much , because my friends and family say im a good looking and handsome person . but i see otherwise , i see my flaws and imperfections .

[@Creativecrybabie]

Hi there! BDD is known to occur in individuals who are of average to above average attractiveness! This can be incredibly confusing for us because the world reacts to us as an attractive person but our minds tell us the opposite. It can be really frustrating!

[@jordanesperanza2754]

hi I’ve been obsessed with my hairline and I’ve been distressed and I also have OCD I’ve been spending 2 hours searching how to cure it and I’m only 17 and that’s depressing I’ve been having all the things you said. What do you think I have? Do I have BDD??? Please help.

[@valtrai439]

Same, it sucks

[@jamlaw]

Hi, I have OCD too and recently in a group therapy doing ERP. It's helped me A LOT. Hope you can find some relief, it is possible :) )(Now I just have to address the BDD haha).

[@princerockson1404]

hmm, I also deal with obsession over thinking my hairline is receding (even thought it is not). am not too sure if you can relate to this, but for me I am well aware for the past 5 months my hair is not thinning, but I think the visual images that came up within my mind, example distorted images of my hair falling out, perceiving myself as bald etc, makes it hard for me to trust the reality. I look in the mirror and can't trust that image as the images which have been in my mind for the past few months feel so real despite in reality everything is okay...

[@ArtofWEZ]

Is there such thing as hybrid of health anxiety of BDD? I always fear a physical asymmetrical defect as a health problem

[@brandeng97]

I have this disorder. It’s absolutely debilitating. My girlfriend actually turns around mirrors in our apartment when I’m in because they make me uncomfortable.

[@Masamune364]

At least you have a girlfriend and she supports you, you should be grateful... me, well im lonely and i struggle to find a partner because of my flaws that are real and also BDD

[@cammie_444]

My school doesn’t care about my well being and pressures me into taking off my mask and showing my face and other stuff. They don’t understand privacy. I have BDD.

[@adamdukey7961]

Hope ur ok

[@Freddie9787]

I have a autoimmune disorder and asymmetry in my face, it bothers me me all day every day. i hate looking at my face in the mirror or it makes it worse because i cant hide it.

[@sarabellam6325]

I have struggled with this my whole life, it's absolutely debilitating. Also, I'm almost 54, you'd think I'd have given it up by now, but nope.

[@enjoyer903]

YES I have BDD and it’s always my thighs,butt,waste that is what I’m most anxious about and the rest not as much but still.

[@myuniverse4186]

So it's just our wrong perception? I love to look like fair ....bcoz m always fair but now it seems dull dry skin dark side... I diagnosed with disorder... I have all the symptoms... Doc prescribed antidepressants.. It caused due to bad abused childhood..whenever I see mirror from closely I look like so imperfect.. From far mirror complexion looks OK.. But sometimes blur

[@rodolfoolivar5925]

same here if you want someone to talk to you can email me [e-mail]

[@catgirl51]

idk if im just insecure or just have BDD? i hate my stomach like just my stomach. im fat but i dont mind my legs or arms just my stomach and it makes me isolate, cry during intimacy with my partners to the point we broke up cause my insecurity ;n; i see other fat girls and think theyre beautiful and have meaningful relationships but I feel like i cant cause i get nauseous thinking about wearing shirts that show the outline of my stomach ;;

[@Sheislove144]

Um.how is it inaccurate if I see it in pictures and videos...I'm not making it up its real I am ugly ..

[@yvtctc5161]

I have everything what you said 😔and I am just 14.... I feel insecure.. I don't even want to go outside

[@Uvvibes]

Why can’t you just tell us what to do I have extreme anxiety I will not go see someone in person or video chat

[@nuggets1356]

What about people who physically feel something on their body that spent exist. I have an issue where I feel things are swollen when their not or that a part of my body keeps changing shape. Would that fall under this or something else? I don't worry about how others view it. My issues causes health anxiety.

[@rohitchandran97]

if it really caused anxiety to the point it doesn't let you function or socialize ,then u r suffering from BDD. severity may differ bt still most who feels anxious could be atleast in the borderline. jst think like this .... ther r lots of people who have so many flaws or flaws as per beauty standards yet they r happy nd socialising btr whereas u can't. so problem isn't physical .. it's mental issue ... u won't be satisfied with surgery no matter what . sometimes u may be happy for a while or sometimes it jst gets shifted to some other part. follow cbt ... it will surely helps to the point where u can be comfortable with ur body. people who see imagined flaw will strt seeing body as it is .... take medication as cbt can be really difficult to practice without medication. hope you recover soon ❤️

[@benjilorenzo2413]

It hurts when i have all the traits i dont like to a person, summed up to my identity

[@M23js]

I have BDD.. it makes it impossible to shop.. i feel like all eyes are on me and staring at my body. It doesn't help that i catch people right as they look at my belly.. ive had 3 kids and anyone would consider it normal.. its like im still pregnant.. thats how it looks to me.. and when people stare, i think they think it too.

[@Patrick-pu6xg]

2:26 is me. Also, do you believe Phone Cameras cause BDD?

[@ocdandanxiety]

I don't think it causes it, but I think it can make symptoms worse if people use it as a compulsion.