People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) see themselves distortedly, focusing intensely on perceived flaws (like skin, hair, nose) that are minor or nonexistent to others, failing to see the "big picture" of their normal appearance due to altered visual processing and brain function, leading to obsessive checking, reassurance-seeking, and significant distress, as if looking through a distorted lens that magnifies imperfections.
"This is an important step to figuring out what's going wrong in the brains of people with BDD so we can develop treatments to change their perceptions of themselves." People with BDD tend to fixate on minute details, such as a single blemish or a slight crook to the nose, rather than viewing their face as a whole.
Most people with BDD don't get a diagnosis until 10 to 15 years after the symptoms become serious enough to meet the criteria for diagnosis. That's partly because they don't realize the thoughts and feelings they experience are signs of a mental health condition or because they're ashamed or afraid to ask for help.
They may still perceive themselves as very heavy, even when the reflection in the mirror reveals a much smaller person. This phenomenon is sometimes called “phantom fat” or “phantom fat syndrome.” The medical term is body dysmorphic disorder.
Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) appear to possess abnormalities in the way they observe and discriminate visual information. A pre-occupation with perceived defects in appearance has been attributed to a local visual processing bias.
Lack of insight means that most people with BDD think that they really do look ugly. They don't realize that the physical flaws that they perceive are actually nonexistent or only slight in the eyes of other people.
Symptoms of BDD typically begin during adolescence, most commonly by 12-13 years old. [1] If a child or teen obsesses about their appearance, is overly critical of perceived minor flaws and experiences severe distress as a result, they might be showing signs of body dysmorphic disorder.
Body Shapes with the Highest Risk of Health Problems
Apple and pear body shapes tend to have the highest risk. Apples tend to be at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, and strokes because they hold a larger amount of tummy fat.
Too Skinny: What BMI is Considered Underweight? From a clinical perspective, an individual is considered “too skinny” if they are deemed underweight. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an individual is underweight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is below 18.5 [1].
Abstract. Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have been postulated to have schizoid, narcissistic, and obsessional personality traits and to be sensitive, introverted, perfectionistic, and insecure.
There's no single "hardest" mental illness, but Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Schizophrenia, and severe/treatment-resistant conditions like depression or bipolar disorder are frequently cited due to extreme emotional volatility, distorted reality, profound functional impairment, and significant impact on relationships and daily life, making them incredibly challenging to live with and manage. The difficulty often stems from intense internal pain, difficulty regulating emotions, social isolation, and the pervasive nature of symptoms.
Getting started with Behavior Driven Development
Symptoms of BDD include:
How is it possible that celebrities such as Hayden Panettiere, Sarah Michelle-Gellar, Uma Thurman, Shakira, and Jessica Simpson struggle profoundly with their self-image? The culprit is body dysmorphic disorder, a psychological malady that distorts a person's body image.
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), also known in some contexts as dysmorphophobia or dysmorphia, is a mental disorder defined by an overwhelming preoccupation with a perceived flaw in one's physical appearance.
Unlike typical self-consciousness, facial dysmorphia triggers persistent, intrusive thoughts that can become overwhelming. It impacts self-esteem, social interactions, and overall well-being. Many individuals spend hours fixating on features like skin texture, facial symmetry, nose shape, jawline, or hairline.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Objective. According to most prospective studies, being underweight (BMI<18·5 kg/m2) is associated with significantly higher mortality than being of normal weight, especially among smokers.
Weight loss plateau
A weight loss plateau is the final stage of slow weight loss, where your metabolism has adapted to your new weight, and the number of calories your body needs to survive more or less equals the calorie deficit you've been maintaining.
The rarest female body type is generally considered the hourglass, characterized by shoulders and hips of similar width with a significantly narrower, defined waist, with studies suggesting less than 10% of women naturally fit this description, while some data points to the inverted triangle (broad shoulders, narrow hips/waist) also being quite rare, potentially under 1% in some views, though hourglass is more consistently cited as the least common overall.
Typical characteristics of the apple body shape are a large bust, narrow hips and a full midsection. This makes the body appear like an apple shape.
That's largely due to hormones. Estrogen encourages fat to settle in the hips and thighs as a way of preparing the body for pregnancy. Genetics also play a big role in where your body prefers to store fat, and for some people, that means the lower body holds onto it longer than other areas.
What are the signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder?
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterised by a preoccupation with an imagined defect in one's appearance or, in the case of a slight physical anomaly, the person's concern is markedly excessive. The most common preoccupations concern the skin, hair, nose, eyes, eyelids, mouth, lips, jaw, and chin.
The most associated phrases with body dysmorphic disorder include: “I feel ugly.” “I look unattractive.” “I need to fix my flaws.”