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Interpreting Your Results

Your results 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.

BDDQ-AS | Moderate Warning Signs

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Recommendation: proceed with caution

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (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 responses suggest that you are experiencing significant concerns about your appearance, which occupy a large part of your thoughts and cause you a lot of distress. These worries are not only emotionally painful but are also affecting various aspects of your daily life, such as your social interactions and performance at work or school. Additionally, you mentioned that you often avoid certain activities because of these concerns. This pattern indicates that you might be dealing with Body Dysmorphic Disorder BDD.

Understanding these results is a vital first step, and please know that you are not alone; BDD is a recognised mental health disorder that can be treated to help you feel better and improve your quality of life.

CONCERN & PREOCCUPATION

BDD becomes a serious issue when it starts to interfere with your daily life and overall happiness. 

Questions 1. & 2.

1. Are you very worried about your appearance in any way?

You indicated that you do not have any worries about your appearance.

2. Do these concerns preoccupy you? That is, you think about them a lot and wish that you could worry about them less?

You reported that concerns about your appearance frequently occupy your thoughts and that you wish you could spend less time thinking about them. This suggests that these worries are a major focus that takes up a big part of your headspace.

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.​

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.

Question 3.

3. Do these concerns cause you a lot of distress, torment, or pain?

Your response to Question 3 suggests that your concerns about your appearance cause you a lot of distress. This shows that these worries might be more than just occasional thoughts, leading to ongoing emotional discomfort. Remember, you're not alone, and there are ways to manage and reduce these feelings.

REPETITIVE BEHAVIOURS & 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.

Questions 4. to 6.

4. Do these concerns cause you any impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning?

You noted that your appearance concerns do not impact important areas of your life, such as social interactions, work, or school performance.

5. Do these concerns often significantly interfere with your social life?

Your concerns about your appearance might have an effect on how you connect with others or take part in social activities. Engaging in social activities is important for overall well-being, so addressing these concerns can help you reconnect and enjoy these moments more fully.

6. Do these concerns often significantly interfere with your school work, job, or ability to function in your role?

You mentioned that appearance concerns do not interfere with your performance and functioning in daily roles like work or school. This suggests that you’re managing these concerns well in your day-to-day life. If you ever find that these worries begin to impact your responsibilities, consider seeking support to address them effectively.

Question 7.

7. Do you avoid doing anything because of your appearance concerns?

You reported that you do not avoid activities due to worries about your appearance, which indicates that these concerns are not restricting your experiences or opportunities. This is a positive sign, as staying engaged in various aspects of life is important for overall well-being.

NEXT STEPS

Cosmetic procedures can be a wonderful way to improve self-confidence and feel empowered but could do the opposite if you suffer from BDD. It's important to keep that in mind in case you find struggling with your mental health after having a cosmetic procedure.

Learn more about BDD

1

Understanding the disorder is the first step towards recognising it in yourself - or others. Click the button below to learn more about Body Dysmorphia - including the symptoms, causes, treatments and why it matters when it comes to cosmetic procedures.

2

Join the community

Joining the PREPÆRE community can be a great way to connect with others who are also considering or have undergone cosmetic procedures. By sharing your experiences, asking questions, and hearing from others, you can gain valuable insights and support. Engaging with fellow patients can help you feel understood, build confidence, and make more informed decisions about your journey.

Spoke logo

Practice wellbeing & mindfulness 

3

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.

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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

Lizzie Bosen, LCSW, CCTP

LCSW, CCTP

More (human) therapists coming soon!

More (human) therapists coming soon!

Phd.

The Body Image Treatment Clinic

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

Dogtor B

BSci, MSci, PhD in Passive Calming

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