18.10 Body Dissatisfaction: Body Dysmorphia

Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder, is a mental health diagnosis involving a persistent concern for and constant consideration about one or more perceived flaws about one’s appearance. It often includes obsession about a specific body part or body parts and a fixation on hiding or fixing that aspect of their body.

Body dysmorphia includes:

• Spending a lot of time thinking or worrying about appearance
• Preoccupation with how one compares to others
• Constantly trying to “fix” one’s “flaws”
• Frequently looking in a mirror
• Avoiding mirrors
• Using many cosmetic products or cosmetic procedures without satisfaction

One specific type of body dysmorphia is muscle dysmorphia, which is characterized by someone having obsessive thoughts or worries of being too small muscularly, even if they have large or developed muscles. They maintain a strict weight lifting routine, prioritize exercise above other commitments, may even work out despite injury, and maintain a strict diet in an effort to alter their physical appearance.