Are people with BDD vain?

No! On the contrary, people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder believe themselves to be ugly or defective.

People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder believe themselves to be ugly or defective. But because of this stigma, they tend to be very secretive and reluctant to seek help because they are afraid that others will think them vain or narcissistic. People with BDD are quite the opposite from being vain or deliberately self-obsessed;

BDD is a serious disorder that affects around 2 per cent of the population. It shares similarities with obsessive-compulsive disorder, health anxiety, and social phobia.

BDD affects men and women equally, and most commonly begins in adolescence. 

Because of the stigma attached to BDD and the current poor level of awareness, on average a person with BDD will suffer for ten years before seeking help.

Find out more by reading stories directly from the BDD community >

The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation. Charity no. 1153753.