Firstly it is important for us to dispel any misconceptions there are about what Body Dysmorphic Disorder is. Often people confuse BDD with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – and yes although there are similarities (obsessive thoughts), OCD deals with more than just obsessive thoughts about physical appearance. Similarly eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia are often confused with BDD; however, BDD sufferers are concerned with more than just their weight. Still, the bulk of these myths centers on the belief that the sufferer is vain.

BDD is not a condition where the individual is obsessed with how beautiful they are but rather it is a mental health condition related to how the sufferer perceives his or her appearance. Why are the two of these different? Well, mainly because the individual suffering from BDD will have a completely distorted perception about a real or imagined flaw in their appearance and it is this disordered way of thinking that creates their irrational beliefs. The irrational beliefs the individual has about their appearance then lead to an excessive obsession with the body part(s) involved. These may include obsessive thoughts and/or rituals that cause the sufferer significant distress and often disrupt daily functioning. The sufferer perceives their physical appearance as hideous or disgusting; however, it is important to remember that their idea of the ‘perfect’ image is often not that far from their own image.