Health & wellness

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

By Sri Narayanan, Sahaja Mallavaram, Sonia Harihar, and Meghna Baishya

High school students at Innovation Academy High School

Instagram: @beautybeyondyourmirror

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition marked by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws or defects in one's appearance, often minor or nonexistent. This condition can lead to significant distress, impacting daily functioning and relationships. It is crucial to discuss and understand BDD for several reasons.

BDD's prevalence extends across genders and ages, affecting individuals more commonly than previously thought. The condition profoundly impacts lives, causing social isolation, lack of self confidence, relationship challenges, and difficulties in academic or work.

Recognizing BDD symptoms is vital. Those affected may excessively worry about specific body areas, engage in frequent self-comparisons, and experience disruptions in daily life, including work and relationships. BDD can lead to severe consequences, including depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Extreme measures taken by individuals with BDD, such as unnecessary cosmetic surgery or drastic diet changes, can lead to physical issues like brittle bones, anemia, and mental health challenges, including anxiety and severe depression.

One crucial aspect of addressing BDD is the spotlight it sheds on mental health awareness. Fostering open discussions about BDD, can help reduce stigma and create a society that understands and supports those grappling with mental health challenges. Moreover, BDD's link to societal beauty standards, perpetuated by the media, emphasizes the need for having a more inclusive and body-positive culture. Open conversations about BDD also play a preventive role, promoting a healthy body image and self-esteem. Early intervention is essential in preventing the worsening of symptoms and the development of more severe mental health issues.

As a dedicated group focused on raising BDD awareness, our social media campaign has achieved significant milestones. From informative Instagram posts and engaging TikTok videos to promoting self-love in our school community, we've sparked crucial conversations, fostering empathy, understanding, and a more supportive environment.