Body Dysmorphia

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health diagnosis commonly referred to as “body dysmorphia”. It is categorized by preoccupation with a real or imagined flaw/imperfection in one’s appearance, which causes the person living with this condition to experience significant distress, psychological pain, and shame when navigating daily life. A few examples of a flaw or imperfection that can become the focus of preoccupation are: uneven skin texture/acne, facial symmetry, and shape or size of various body parts- nose, eyes, genitals, body build or muscularity, etc.

In extreme cases, body alterations or other cosmetic surgeries are completed to correct the flaw/imperfection that has been the focus of preoccupation. In other cases and if left untreated, people living with this condition tend to frequently check the flaw, compare themselves to others, and or engage in avoidance behaviors (e.g., avoiding mirrors, dating or other social interactions).

What is the difference between dysmorphia and dysphoria?

Dysmorphia refers to a distorted perception of one’s appearance.

• • Most commonly seen in Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), where a person becomes obsessed with perceived flaws in their physical appearance, often minor or not visible to others.

  • Dysphoria is a general state of unease or dissatisfaction, often related to one’s identity, environment, or self-perception.

  • Gender dysphoria, for example, involves distress due to a mismatch between one’s assigned sex at birth and their gender identity.

In short:

• Dysmorphia = distorted view of the body.

• Dysphoria = distress about identity or emotional discomfort.

Can body dysmorphia be mistaken for gender dysphoria?

Yes, it can be, especially in early evaluations.

• Both may involve discomfort with physical appearance.

• However, body dysmorphia focuses on specific perceived flaws (e.g., nose size, muscle tone, skin), while gender dysphoria is about the body not aligning with one’s internal sense of gender (e.g., discomfort with breasts or genitals due to gender identity).

Proper mental health evaluation is key to distinguishing between the two, as the motivation and emotional experience behind the distress differ.

What are the four types of dysphoria?

While not a formal classification system, dysphoria can present in different contexts. Four commonly discussed types include:

1. Gender Dysphoria – distress due to incongruence between gender identity and assigned sex.

2. Body Dysphoria – discomfort with one’s physical body, sometimes overlapping with or mistaken for body dysmorphia.

3. Situational Dysphoria – emotional discomfort tied to specific life situations or environments (e.g., job, relationship, social setting).

4. Affective Dysphoria – a general state of unease or dissatisfaction, often part of mood disorders like depression.

What are the two types of dysmorphia?

The two most commonly referenced types are:

1. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) – obsession with perceived flaws in physical appearance.

2. Muscle Dysmorphia – a subtype of BDD, more common in men, where the individual believes they are not muscular or lean enough, even if they are objectively very fit or muscular.

Looking For Support with Body Dysmorphia?