“The practitioners who see people with BDD first tend to be dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons, because patients rarely believe they are mentally ill – they just think they’re ugly.”
A recent feature in The Observer Magazine shines a much needed light on Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), exploring its devastating impact, the challenges of diagnosis, and the growing evidence that effective treatment can transform lives.
The article follows the experiences of young people living with BDD, illustrating how overwhelming preoccupation with perceived flaws can lead to intense anxiety, isolation, withdrawal from education and everyday life, and, in some cases, suicidal thoughts and attempts. It also highlights how difficult BDD can be to recognise, particularly because many people experiencing it do not see themselves as having a mental health condition, they believe that the problem is their appearance.
The feature visits the specialist BDD service at the Maudsley Hospital, led by Dr Amita Jassi, and looks at developments in understanding and treating the disorder. The article describes the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure-based approaches and medication, showing the encouraging treatment outcomes being achieved in specialist services.
The Observer speaks with Amita Jassi, consultant clinical psychologist and Vice Chair of the BDD Foundation, who brings her clinical experience to the discussion. Amita describes the realities of working with people experiencing severe BDD, including the challenges of engaging with young people who may become so distressed that they retreat entirely from the outside world. She explains that clinicians can sometimes find themselves treating patients from behind a bedroom door, and, in some cases, without seeing the person face-to-face at all.
The article reinforces a central message for the BDD community: BDD is common, serious and highly treatable, yet it remains significantly under-recognised and under-diagnosed. Greater awareness among healthcare professionals, families, schools and the wider public is essential so that people can receive appropriate support sooner.
For the BDD Foundation, the feature is an important opportunity to amplify understanding of a condition that remains too often hidden. By sharing the experiences of people with BDD and highlighting the specialist expertise and treatments available, the article helps demonstrate why better recognition, earlier intervention and access to evidence-based care matter so much.