You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. This is more common in males and is associated with an increased risk of substance misuse and suicide. This is where a person is preoccupied with the idea that their body is too small or not muscular enough. Muscle dysmorphia is a subcategory of BDD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition ( DSM-5). People with BDD are most commonly worried about the most visible part of their body, like their face, hair, and skin.īut people may focus on any part of their body. This can also lead to anxiety in social situations.īDD can lead to the development of several other symptoms, including:
This may mean that you consistently compare your perceived defect to others and find it hard to concentrate on other things. The primary symptom of BDD is a negative preoccupation with one or more parts of your physical appearance.
