Interpreting Your Results
It seems that you are not experiencing any severe signs of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) but show a level of concern about your appearance. This very common in patients looking to undergo cosmetic procedures. Wanting to look good and feel confident is completely normal, but it should not affect your daily life and overall wellbeing.
Keep in mind that body image issues can develop at any stage of life. We encourage you to read on and check out the "About BDD" page to learn about the signs to look out for.
BDDQ-AS | Normal Level of Appearance Concerns

Recommendation: go ahead with the procedure
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
Based on your answers, it appears that while you do have concerns and preoccupations about your appearance, these worries do not significantly affect your daily life or lead to avoidance behaviours or impair your daily functioning. You are able to maintain your social interactions, perform well at work or school, and engage in activities without avoidance. This suggests that, although you are concerned about your appearance, these concerns are not currently having a significant negative impact on your overall 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 indicates that any appearance-related concerns you may have do not cause you significant emotional distress.
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?
You’ve indicated that worries about your appearance don’t significantly interfere with your social life, which means you’re able to connect with others and participate in activities without major issues. This is a positive sign, but if you ever feel these concerns start to affect your interactions, it’s important to seek support.
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.
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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.

Practice wellbeing & mindfulness
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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: