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Body dysmorphia

Body dysmorphia is when you have negative feelings about your body image. It's a mental health problem because you spend a lot of time worrying about your body image. And that affects your day-to-day life. 

If you have these experiences, you might get a diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).   

I would often pick up on tiny issues about my appearance and become obsessed with how I could change them

Learn about body dysmorphia

Understanding body dysmorphia

Find out how negative feelings about your body can affect your mental health. Learn about the symptoms of body dysmorphia and what causes it.

Tips for improving your body image

Find tips to help you improve your body image and cope with feelings of body dysmorphia.

Treatment for body dysmorphia

Find out about treatment for body dysmorphia including cognitive behavioural therapy and medication.

How to help someone with body image issues

Read our tips for supporting someone who's experiencing negative feelings about their body.

Your stories

Woman with blonde hair smiling at the camera

Blog: “Living with body dysmorphia”

Male with dark hair looking straight at camera

Blog: “I became a human book”

Female looking ahead into the distance away from camera

Blog: “Friendship and body dysmorphic disorder”

Page published: September 2025

Next review planned: September 2028

References and bibliography available on request.

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