The Unprofessional Guide to body dysmorphic disorder

Chapter 1: What Is body dysmorphic disorder, Really?

Important notice: This guide is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you read in this guide.

First of all: breathe. We're going to take this one step at a time. If you're reading this, you probably just heard the words "body dysmorphic disorder" from a doctor, therapist, or maybe you found it yourself while desperately searching for an explanation of why you can't stop looking at that one part of your body. Either way, you're scared, and you're likely exhausted. That's okay. This is the first chapter of a guide that will not talk down to you and will never pretend this is simple. Let's start with what's actually happening.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition where a person spends an enormous amount of time and mental energy worrying about a flaw in their appearance that is either invisible to other people or is extremely minor. That's the clinical definition, and it's a mouthful. Let's break it apart, because the words matter less than the experience. You might spend hours checking your reflection. You might avoid mirrors entirely because looking makes you feel sick. You might be convinced your nose is deformed, your skin is uneven, your body is completely misshapen. Other people tell you you're crazy,