BDD can affect anyone, impacting between 5 and 10 million people in the U.S (IOCDF). It usually begins in teens or young adulthood, but the onset can be before or after that. BDD has a range of symptoms and behaviors, which can be different based on your age or gender. For example, if you are older, you may be preoccupied with wrinkles or hair falling out. If you are younger, you may feel fixated on your acne or body type. Anybody, regardless of age, race, gender, or other factors, can experience any fixation with their appearance. 

If you experienced bullying or trauma, you may be at a greater risk for BDD. People who have other diagnoses, such as OCD, depression, or eating disorders, may also have comorbid BDD. Sometimes, those with hair-pulling or skin-picking may do so for reasons related to appearance concerns. Social pressures and stigma around appearance can create an environment where BDD thrives. Body Dysmorphic Disorder can impact a range of people and is more common than you may think.

BDD and OCD share a similar cycle. In both cases, you experience obsessions. These are intrusive thoughts or images that create distress. This distress may look like anxiety, panic, or disgust. In order to get rid of these feelings, you feel the need to do a compulsion. This is a behavior, physical or mental, that temporarily relieves discomfort. As thoughts come back, the whole cycle will begin again.

The impact on quality of life can be challenging in both disorders. If you have either OCD or BDD, you may lack self-confidence and hold negative beliefs about who you are. You might isolate yourself from others, pulling back on things you enjoy. Your days can be filled with time-consuming behaviors that are not in line with your values.

The thought content and the kinds of behaviors are what set BDD apart. If you have BDD, your intrusive thoughts are specific to your appearance. The compulsive behaviors that you do are focused on reducing distress about certain body parts. In OCD, thoughts can be about many topics, and if they include the body, it may be related to health concerns or how you appear socially. Compulsions can be different too, and may not be about how you look.

BDD has a strong cognitive piece, especially in the way that you see your body. When you look in the mirror, your brain processes your appearance through a distorted lens. No matter how many times people tell you that you look normal, you still see defects.

Those with BDD experience depression and suicidality at higher rates. You may find yourself feeling hopeless or unable to change who you are. The weight of doing compulsions without lasting relief can be heavy. When your main focus in life is on your appearance, other important goals can slip away.

Living with BDD can be challenging, but effective treatments exist. You are not alone, and trained clinicians can guide you toward relief. Treatment often involves addressing distressing thoughts about your appearance and the behaviors that come with them. With support, you can learn to see yourself more objectively, untangle all-or-nothing thinking, and reduce compulsive behaviors such as mirror checking or avoidance. Together with a therapist, you’ll set manageable goals and gradually build the ability to sit with discomfort, which can lead to greater flexibility and freedom in daily life.

For some, medication like SSRIs can help reduce anxiety and make participation in treatment easier, though therapy alone can also be effective. Another important part of recovery is reconnecting with meaningful activities and relationships outside of appearance concerns. Over time, engaging with what you enjoy and finding purpose beyond BDD can support your treatment journey, helping you regain a sense of well-being and opening up new possibilities in life.

Therapy can give you the tools to respond to distressing thoughts, anxiety, and compulsive behaviors instead of letting them control your life. You’ll learn to sit with discomfort, reduce avoidance, and gain awareness of patterns that feed your symptoms. Over time, you can build a healthier perspective on yourself and your appearance, regain a sense of control, and take steps toward lasting recovery.

Our team specializes in BDD and OCD, using evidence-based approaches in a collaborative, judgment-free environment. We tailor treatment to each individual’s experience, helping clients build skills that work during therapy and beyond. With compassionate support, we help you reduce compulsive behaviors, overcome avoidance, and reclaim flexibility in daily life—step by step.