Many of us have a hang-up about the way we look. From wrinkled skin to belly fat and blemishes, it is normal to have these perceived imperfections. Yet some people can become obsessive over their flaws and in severe cases, this can lead to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, a mental-health condition. It’s more common than we think – one in 50 people are currently thought to suffer from BDD. And the outcome can be dangerous. In fact, it has one of the highest suicide rates of any mental–health illness.
In a society where we obsess over our body image, use filters and editing to alter our appearance on social media, and constantly compare ourselves to others, are we all at risk of developing BDD? Woman investigates.
‘I’VE SPENT THOUSANDS TO LOOK LIKE THIS’
Kim Booker, 34, is
