Interpreting Your Results
Your results indicate that your concerns about your appearance are substantial and have a profound impact on various aspects of your life. This level of concern suggests that it is critical to address these issues comprehensively to improve your overall well-being.
It looks like some of your answers suggest you might be experiencing symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Don’t worry—this doesn't automatically mean you can't go ahead with your plans. Read on to learn more.
COPS | Moderate/ Severe 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
Your score indicates that you fall into the Moderate/Severe Signs category (37-45). This suggests that your concerns about your appearance are quite significant and have a considerable impact on your daily life. Let's explore what this could mean for you:
1. PREOCCUPATION
BDD becomes a serious issue when it starts to interfere with your daily life and overall happiness.
You likely find yourself thinking about your feature(s) very frequently, with these thoughts being difficult to control and often intrusive:
Constant Mirror Checking: You might spend a lot of time checking your appearance in mirrors or reflective surfaces, feeling compelled to do so regularly.
Persistent Comparisons: Comparing your feature(s) to those of others or to images in the media might be a constant habit, often leading to dissatisfaction.
Frequent Reassurance Seeking: You may often seek reassurance from friends or family about your appearance, but this reassurance may provide only brief and temporary relief.
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.
Your feature(s) likely cause you substantial emotional distress, which can significantly affect your mood and overall well-being:
Emotional Impact: You might experience intense and persistent feelings of sadness, frustration, or anxiety related to your appearance. These emotions can be overwhelming and difficult to manage.
Physical Sensations: The distress might cause physical symptoms such as tension, headaches, or stomach issues, especially when you focus 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.
Concerns about your appearance likely lead you to avoid many situations or activities, affecting your social life and daily routines:
Social Situations: You might frequently avoid social events or gatherings due to fears about how your feature(s) will be perceived by others.
Photos and Videos: You may feel extremely uncomfortable being in photos or videos, often going to great lengths to avoid these situations.
Certain Activities: There are probably several activities you avoid because they draw attention to your feature(s), such as swimming, exercising, or certain social gatherings.
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.
Your concerns about your appearance have a major impact on your daily routines and responsibilities:
Work or Study: It can be challenging to concentrate on tasks, as thoughts about your appearance may be very distracting. This can severely affect your productivity and performance.
Relationships: Your concerns might significantly strain interactions with friends, family, and romantic partners. You may feel less confident and worry a lot about their perceptions of your feature(s).
Daily Routines: Your preoccupation with your appearance can heavily influence daily activities such as getting dressed, grooming, and making choices about your diet and lifestyle.
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.
It seems your concerns are having a considerable impact on your life, suggesting a high likelihood of underlying psychological issues. It's essential to seek immediate professional support to address these concerns before considering cosmetic procedures. Reflect deeply on your goals with professional help, understand the procedures thoroughly, and rely on a strong support system.
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: