Interpreting Your Results
Your results strongly suggest that you may be dealing with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Don't worry -- this is not an official diagnosis and does not mean you can't go ahead with your treatment.
We encourage you to read on and check out the "About BDD" page to learn more about the signs and recommended next steps.
COPS | Severe Signs of BDD

Recommendation: seek further help before proceeding
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 Severe Signs category (46-72). This suggests that your concerns about your appearance are extremely significant and have a profound 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) almost all the time, with these thoughts being intrusive and difficult to control:
Continuous Mirror Checking: You might spend excessive amounts of time checking and rechecking your appearance in mirrors or reflective surfaces, feeling compelled to do so almost constantly.
Obsessive Comparisons: Comparing your feature(s) to others or to images in the media is likely a constant habit, often leaving you feeling highly dissatisfied and distressed.
Compulsive Reassurance Seeking: You may frequently seek reassurance from friends or family about your appearance, but this reassurance provides only fleeting 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 severe emotional distress, which can be overwhelming and significantly impact your mood and overall well-being:
Emotional Impact: You might experience intense and persistent feelings of sadness, frustration, anxiety, or even despair related to your appearance. These emotions can be very difficult to manage.
Physical Sensations: The distress might cause severe physical symptoms such as chronic tension, headaches, stomach issues, or other stress-related symptoms, 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, severely impacting your social life and daily routines:
Social Situations: You might avoid social events or gatherings almost entirely due to fears about how your feature(s) will be perceived by others.
Photos and Videos: You may feel extremely uncomfortable and distressed being in photos or videos, often going to great lengths to avoid these situations.
Certain Activities: There are probably many activities you avoid because they draw attention to your feature(s), such as swimming, exercising, or any events that highlight your appearance.
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 severe impact on your daily routines and responsibilities:
Work or Study: It can be extremely challenging to concentrate on tasks, as thoughts about your appearance may be highly 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 constantly worry 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, often leading to significant disruptions.
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 about your appearance are severe and profoundly affecting your daily life. Professional mental health support is critical, and cosmetic procedures should be postponed until these issues are thoroughly addressed. Reflect on your goals with professional guidance, fully educate yourself on potential procedures, and actively involve a strong support system in your decision-making process.
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: