Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is characterized by recurrent and distressing intrusive thoughts about one’s appearance. These self-appraisals tend to be biased or distorted (eg, having objectively typical sized facial features but believing they are too big or too small). People with BDD engage in repetitive behaviors in an effort to reduce their appearance related distress, such as excessive mirror checking, reassurance seeking, covering their body with makeup or clothing, comparing their appearance to others, and planning plastic surgeries. These behaviors and intrusive thoughts consume more than an hour a day and interfere with school/work, social, and/or family functioning.
