Body dysmorphic disorder is more than just wanting to “look good.” It’s an intense, often invisible battle with your own reflection, where what you see in the mirror can feel like an enemy rather than a facet of who you are.
BDD, like eating disorders such as atypical anorexia, is frequently misunderstood and stigmatized. It can rob individuals of far more than confidence in their looks. It can steal their time, opportunities, and quality of life while slowly eroding their relationships.
Let’s draw back the curtain on the different types of body dysmorphic disorder and the ways they can impact a person’s physical and emotional health.
1. Classic BDD
Classic body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition where an individual becomes intensely preoccupied with one or more perceived flaws in their appearance — flaws that are either minor or not observable to others. It’s not about vanity; it’s about a persistent belief that one looks flawed, even if others don’t perceive it that way.
In classic BDD:
The focus is often on the face, skin, hair, or body shape.
These concerns cause significant distress and can take up hours each day.
The person may engage in repetitive behaviors such as mirror checking, excessive grooming, skin picking, or constantly seeking reassurance.
The beliefs about the “flaw” can range from mildly exaggerated to completely delusional.
BDD affects around 2% of people in the general population, based on structured clinical interviews (Veale & Bewley, 2015). That may sound small, but 2% equates to millions globally, all quietly battling relentless, intrusive thoughts about the way they look — day in and day out.
And it’s not just mental exhaustion — BDD can lead to profound emotional pain. Individuals fall into loops of mirror checking, covering up perceived flaws, or chasing cosmetic fixes. Without relief, the distress can spiral into anxiety, social isolation, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.
2. Muscle Dysmorphia or "Bigorexia"
Muscle dysmorphia is a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder where a person becomes excessively concerned that their body is too small, insufficiently muscular, or not lean enough — despite often having a muscular build that others see as “fit” or even above average.
The DSM-5 classifies muscle dysmorphia under body dysmorphic disorder in the obsessive–compulsive and related disorders category (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Research sheds light on how common this disorder is. A recent study found that 2.8% of boys and men in Canada and the US met criteria for probable muscle dysmorphia (Ganson et al., 2025). That means nearly 3 out of every 100 boys and men is likely silently struggling with potentially dangerous body image concerns.
What’s dangerous is how muscle dysmorphia so easily leads to overtraining, rigid dieting, or even steroid use. When your day — or your worth — revolves around your gym routine, the protein content of your meals, and how “ripped” you look in the mirror, it’s easy to lose touch with the rest of your world. Friends, hobbies, mental health, career goals, and even family relationships can often take a backseat to an obsession with the size and muscularity of one’s physique.
3. Body Dysmorphic Disorder by Proxy
Body dysmorphic disorder by proxy (BDDBP) is a form of body dysmorphic disorder in which an individual becomes preoccupied with perceived defects in someone else’s appearance — rather than their own.
In BDD by proxy:
The “flaw” is usually minor or nonexistent to outside observers.
The focus person is often a close partner, family member, or friend.
The preoccupation can consume hours each day and cause significant emotional distress.
Individuals with BDDBP may repeatedly check, criticize, or try to “fix” the other person’s appearance through grooming, suggesting medical or cosmetic treatments, or controlling their behavior.
While BDDBP is not yet a separate diagnosis in the DSM-5, it’s clinically recognized as a variant of BDD and follows the same underlying pattern — intrusive thoughts about appearance, compulsive behaviors to manage anxiety, and impairment in daily life (Wilhelm et al., 2011).
This subtype can cause serious relationship strain, interpersonal conflict, and in severe cases, lead to emotional or psychological harm for both the person with BDDBP and the individual they’re focused on.
4. A Growing Concern: Snapchat Dysmorphia
A newer, culturally-driven phenomenon, Snapchat dysmorphia is a term used by clinicians to describe the trend of people seeking cosmetic procedures to look more like their filtered or digitally altered images — often those created with social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram, or TikTok.
Unlike traditional body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), where concerns are based on one’s unedited appearance, Snapchat dysmorphia is fueled by exposure to idealized, digitally perfected versions of oneself. These filters can smooth skin, change facial proportions, whiten teeth, enlarge eyes, and make other changes that are unattainable in real life.
Key points:
The phenomenon is linked to increased body dissatisfaction and BDD-like symptoms (Ramphul & Mejias, 2018).
It can drive individuals to request cosmetic surgery that mirrors their filtered appearance.
The “ideal” created by filters is not biologically achievable, which can intensify distress and reinforce unrealistic beauty standards.
While Snapchat dysmorphia is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5, experts warn it can worsen or trigger BDD, particularly among adolescents and young adults heavily engaged with social media.
Why Understanding These Types Matters
Body dysmorphic disorder doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some, it’s a constant battle with a small feature they believe is “wrong.” For others, it’s a relentless drive to be more muscular, or an anxious focus on someone else’s appearance. In a world where social media is almost inescapable, it can manifest in chasing the flawless, filtered look of a digital image.
Recognizing these different types of BDD matters because the disorder can spiral into serious health risks if left untreated. Research shows that up to 12% of individuals with BDD also meet criteria for an eating disorder (Mangweth-Matzek et al., 2016). That means the obsessive mental focus on a perceived flaw can shift over time — from wanting to look thinner, to more muscular, or vice versa — into behaviors that can cause serious, lasting damage to a person’s health and well-being.
Intervention Saves Lives
The good news is that BDD is treatable. The most effective approach usually combines psychotherapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (to address the thoughts and behaviors that drive distress) with medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to help reduce obsessive thinking and anxiety (Phillips et al., 2016).
At Aster Springs, we offer specialized treatment for eating disorders and co-occurring conditions, including body dysmorphic disorder. With personalized therapy, clinical support, and a compassionate team by your side, healing is not only possible — it’s within your reach.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs and take the first step toward a life free from the chains body image distortion.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). DSM‑5.
- Mangweth-Matzek, B., Hoek, H. W., Rupp, C. I., Kemmler, G., Pope, H. G., & Kinzl, J. F. (2016). Prevalence of eating disorders and related psychiatric disorders in a community sample of men and women. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 49(6), 602–610.
- Phillips, K. A., Keshaviah, A., Dougherty, D. D., Stout, R. L., Menard, W., & Wilhelm, S. (2016). Pharmacotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 77(5), e559–e566.
- Veale, D., & Bewley, A. (2015). Body dysmorphic disorder. BMJ, 350, h2278.
- Ramphul, K., & Mejias, S. G. (2018). Is “Snapchat dysmorphia” a real issue? Cureus, 10(3), e2263.
- Ganson, K. T., Murray, S. B., Nagata, J. M., Mitchison, D., Murray, S., & Rodgers, R. F. (2025). Prevalence and correlates of muscle dysmorphia in boys and men in Canada and the United States. Journal of Eating Disorders, 13(1), 19.
- Wilhelm, S., Phillips, K. A., & Steketee, G. (2011). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder: A treatment manual. Guilford Press.
