Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People with OCD experience intensely negative, repetitive and intrusive thoughts, combined with a chronic feeling of doubt or danger (obsessions). In order to quell the thought or quieten the anxiety, they will often repeat an action, again and again (compulsions).
In BDD, there may be a pre-occupation with order and symmetry in appearance, which is very similar to OCD, for example wanting one’s hair to be symmetrical and to feel “right”. An additional diagnosis of OCD is only given when the obsessions are not restricted to concerns about appearance or there are other unrelated symptoms of OCD (e.g. fears of contamination).
Many people with BDD have also had OCD in the past. Further information from OCD Action or OCD UK.
Take the test
Do I have BDD? Our test, developed by specialists and healthcare professionals, can help you understand whether someone might have Body Dysmorphic Disorder.