Interpreting Your Results
Your score reflects mild to moderate concerns about your appearance, and it looks like you might be experiencing some symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). You might experience some preoccupation and distress, and it may occasionally impact your daily life or activities.
Don’t worry—it's pretty common for patients considering cosmetic procedures to show some signs of BDD. This doesn't mean you can't go ahead with your plans. Read on to learn more.
COPS | Mild/Moderate Signs of BDD
Recommendation: proceed with caution
BDD is a recognised mental health condition
where individuals become excessively concerned with a perceived flaw in their appearance, often to the point where it can interfere with their daily lives.
OVERVIEW
Based on your score, you fall into the Mild/Moderate Signs category (19-27). This indicates that while you do have some concerns about your appearance, these concerns are generally manageable and do not severely impact your daily life. Let's explore what this means for you in more detail.
1. PREOCCUPATION
BDD becomes a serious issue when it starts to interfere with your daily life and overall happiness.
You may find yourself thinking about your appearance more than you’d like. These thoughts could be distracting at times but aren’t completely overwhelming. This preoccupation might manifest in various ways:
Mirror Checking: You might find yourself repeatedly checking your appearance in mirrors or reflective surfaces throughout the day.
Comparisons: You could be comparing your feature(s) to others around you or to images in media, which can heighten your concerns.
Seeking Reassurance: It’s possible that you seek reassurance from friends or family about your appearance, asking for their opinions or validation.
2. LEVEL OF DISTRESS
While normal concerns about appearance are occasional and manageable, BDD involves persistent, distressing thoughts and behaviours that significantly interfere with one’s life.
There may be moments when you feel unhappy or dissatisfied with your feature(s). This distress is significant enough to be noticed but does not dominate your emotional state. This distress can affect you emotionally and physically:
Emotional Impact: You might experience feelings of sadness, frustration, or anxiety when you think about your feature(s). These emotions can ebb and flow, being more intense at certain times.
Physical Sensations: Your distress might also cause physical sensations such as tension, restlessness, or discomfort, particularly when you are focusing on your appearance.
3. AVOIDANCE
Individuals with BDD may spend what would be considered an excessive amounts of time and effort trying to hide or fix their perceived flaws, often leading to anxiety, depression, and avoidance of social situations.
You might occasionally avoid certain activities or social situations because of concerns about your appearance. This avoidance is likely infrequent but still present. Concerns about your appearance may lead you to avoid certain situations or activities:
Social Situations: You might hesitate to participate in social events, preferring to stay at home or choose environments where you feel less scrutinised.
Photos and Videos: You could avoid being in photos or videos, or feel extremely uncomfortable when you are, due to concerns about how your feature(s) will appear.
Certain Activities: Activities that draw attention to your feature(s), such as swimming, exercising, or specific social gatherings, might be something you shy away from.
4. IMPACT ON DAILY LIFE
Individuals with BDD may spend what would be considered an excessive amounts of time and effort trying to hide or fix their perceived flaws, often leading to anxiety, depression, and avoidance of social situations.
While you generally manage well, your concerns can sometimes interfere with your life:
Work or Study: You might find it difficult to concentrate on tasks or feel self-conscious in professional or academic settings. This can lead to reduced productivity or avoidance of certain roles and responsibilities.
Relationships: Concerns about your appearance might affect your interactions with others, including friends, family, and romantic partners. You may feel less confident or worry about their perceptions of your feature(s).
Daily Routines: Simple daily activities, such as getting dressed, grooming, or even choosing what to eat, might be influenced by your preoccupation with your appearance.
BDD is not the same as vanity.
Vanity involves a level of self-admiration and concern for one's appearance, while BDD causes significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
NEXT STEPS
No one can tell you what to do with your body. As long as you know enough to make an informed decision, the next steps are up to you.
Your concerns are more pronounced and might begin to affect your daily life. It's advisable to seek guidance from a mental health professional, reflect on whether your goals are achievable, and educate yourself thoroughly about any cosmetic procedures. Building a support system with trusted individuals can also provide valuable perspective.
Learn more about BDD
Understanding the disorder is the first step towards recognising it in yourself - or others. You can learn more about Body Dysmorphia - including the symptoms, causes, treatments and why it matters when it comes to cosmetic procedures - here.
Practice wellbeing & mindfulness
There are plenty of mental health/ mindfulness apps that can help you manage your mood and overall wellbeing. We are partnering with SPOKE, a neuroscience-backed music therapy app that make mental health care as easy as listening to your favourite music. Tailored to your mood, state of mind, and musical preferences, each session is a personal journey towards mental wellness.
Speak with a professional
Sometimes, professional help is the best way forward. There are multiple ways to treat BDD, including Talking Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and medication. You can speak to your GP, who may refer you to a specialist or point you towards local resources. Alternatively, you can self-refer to a private metal health provider. Check out some of the therapists below:
Lizzie Bosen, LCSW, CCTP
LCSW, CCTP
More (human) therapists coming soon!
Phd.
The Body Image Treatment Clinic
All clinicians are registered with the HCPC and some with the BABCP as well which represents the gold standard in evidence based psychological and Dietetic treatment.
Dogtor B
BSci, MSci, PhD in Passive Calming