How I Realized I Have Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

We’ve all be in the position of comparing ourselves to someone else we know. Or who we’re interacting with, either on a single occasion or regularly in our lives. Sometimes these comparisons can have more than momentary effects that impact us beyond idle thought. Sometimes these comparisons can leave us feeling guilty, or looking for ways to change ourselves to be more like the other person even at the expense of our own good health.

Body image is something that can be a struggle. In some ways it can be a motivator to encourage us to stay healthy, to live a healthy lifestyle. But taken to extremes, it can push us beyond wanting to keep hitting the gym and laying off the calories. In some of these cases, it can manifest as Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

This is a mental condition where, regardless of the objective reality of our body, of how we actually look to others, we see deficiencies. We see problems. We see things that need to change, even if nothing’s actually wrong. It can drive someone suffering from it to become obsessed with striving to reach an unrealistic, and often unhealthy, extreme of fitness or shape. The issue isn’t with the body, it’s with the mind. It’s a disorder that psychologists and therapists can help you deal with. Seeking help doesn’t have to mean you can’t work out; only that you can structure your physical activity in a healthy manner so you don’t have to suffer.