Do I Have Body Dysmorphia?

Take this quiz to find out if you show the signs.

Have you ever felt like something about your body was “wrong” or desperately wished that you looked like someone else? If so, you might’ve experienced body dysmorphia. Feeling uncomfortable in your own skin can be difficult and even exhausting. If you feel like you constantly obsess over your appearance, it might even be considered a disorder.

Take this quiz, and we’ll help you understand whether or not you might be dealing with body dysmorphia. We’ll also offer expert-backed guidance and advice that can help you improve your relationship with your body.

While this quiz is based on an official psychological test, your results do not serve as a clinical diagnosis. Please consult a licensed psychologist, counselor, or therapist if you believe you have a mental illness.

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Questions Overview

1. Do you feel yourself constantly comparing your looks to others—like loved ones, strangers, and celebrities?
  1. Yes. I find myself wanting to look like them.
  2. Sometimes. They look better than me most of the time.
  3. I guess? Sometimes I grab style inspo from them.
  4. Never. I like the way I look.
2. Do you constantly crave reassurance from others about your looks? (Example: do you regularly get the urge to ask friends how you look?)
  1. Yes. I’m constantly questioning whether or not I look good.
  2. Sometimes. It’s nice to know when I look put together and when I don’t.
  3. Rarely. I only ask if I’m going somewhere special (like a date or job interview).
  4. Never. I’m pretty confident in myself.
3. When you get ready, do you feel like you’re desperately trying to hide your flaws with makeup and clothes?
  1. Yeah. I don’t want people to see my flaws.
  2. Sometimes, but not all of the time.
  3. Rarely, and it’s only when I’m trying to replicate a certain look.
  4. Never.
4. When you see your reflection, do you stop to check your appearance?
  1. Yes, always (probably between 20-40 times a day).
  2. Sometimes (maybe between 10-20 times a day).
  3. Rarely (I guess less than 5 times a day).
  4. Never.
5. Do you often think you look ugly, unattractive, or “wrong”?
  1. Yes, constantly. It’s hard not to think about it.
  2. Sometimes, but not always.
  3. Rarely. Only when I’m having a bad day.
  4. Never.
6. Does thinking about how you look make you feel stressed or worried?
  1. Yes, all of the time.
  2. Sometimes, but not every day.
  3. Rarely.
  4. Never.
7. Do you often avoid doing things with friends because you're worried they’ll talk about how you look?
  1. Yes. It’s a constant fear. I regularly cancel plans because of it.
  2. Sometimes. I do worry about it, but I don’t usually cancel plans because of it.
  3. I’ve only been worried about it once or twice, but I wouldn’t cancel plans because of it.
  4. Never.
8. Does thinking about your physical appearance ever stop you from working or studying?
  1. Yes, regularly.
  2. Sometimes, now that I think about it.
  3. I do worry about my physical appearance, but it almost never keeps me from working or studying.
  4. Never.
9. Do you often obsess about how your body looks?
  1. Yes, all of the time. It’s hard not to think about my body, and it seriously affects my ability to concentrate.
  2. Sometimes I obsess, but it doesn’t regularly get in the way of my day-to-day life.
  3. It depends. Some days are better than others.
  4. Never.
10. Do you think your physical features have negatively affected your social life (i.e., making friends, going out, etc.)?
  1. Yeah. I definitely think it’s harder for me to make friends because of how I look.
  2. I guess, looking back, my looks might’ve kept me from socializing.
  3. Not usually. For the most part, I’m confident enough to socialize how I’d like to.
  4. Never.
11. Do you think your physical appearance has stopped you from pursuing or engaging in a relationship?
  1. Yes, constantly. I never put myself out there because of how I look. I fear I won’t ever find a partner because of it.
  2. Sometimes it stops me, but not always.
  3. It depends. I’m usually confident enough to pursue relationships how I’d like to.
  4. Never.
12. Do you believe that your physical appearance is the most important thing about you?
  1. Yeah. That’s the first thing people see, right?
  2. Sometimes, but I know there are other great things about me.
  3. Every so often, but I try not to focus on my looks.
  4. Nope. My personality is what shines.

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Take a deep breath because you\u2019ve already taken an important first step: you\u2019ve taken this quiz and started to learn more about your potential struggles with body dysmorphia. You were honest with yourself while answering these questions, and that\u2019s one of the first steps to healing your relationship with yourself and your body. .

Know that you don\u2019t have to be alone in this. Body dysmorphia can be extremely difficult to deal with, but it\u2019s also very treatable. The first step? Reaching out to a doctor or therapist for help. They\u2019ll be able to provide you with the care and treatment so that you can start feeling as beautiful and unburdened as you deserve to feel.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Improve-Your-Body-Image"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Choose-a-Therapist"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Improve Your Body Image","id":734138,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Improve-Your-Body-Image","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Improve-Your-Body-Image-Step-19.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Improve-Your-Body-Image-Step-19.jpg","alt":"How to Improve Your Body Image"},{"title":"How to Choose a Therapist","id":45124,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Choose-a-Therapist","image":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Stop-Alcohol-Cravings-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Stop-Alcohol-Cravings-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Choose a Therapist"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You may be dealing with body dysmorphia.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it seems likely that you may be struggling with body dysmorphia. You may find yourself standing in front of the mirror, wishing your body could change or wanting to look like someone else. You likely spend a lot of time getting ready for the day, trying to find an outfit or makeup look that\u2019ll cover all of the flaws you see in yourself. At the end of the day, you\u2019re not confident with how you look and often put yourself down for it.

Take a deep breath, because you\u2019ve already taken an important first step: you\u2019ve taken this quiz and started to learn more about your potential struggles with body dysmorphia. You were honest with yourself while answering these questions, and that\u2019s one of the first steps to healing your relationship with yourself and your body. .

Know that you don\u2019t have to be alone in this. Body dysmorphia can be extremely difficult to deal with, but it\u2019s also very treatable. The first step? Reaching out to a doctor or therapist for help. They\u2019ll be able to provide you with the care and treatment so that you can start feeling as beautiful and unburdened as you deserve to feel.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Improve-Your-Body-Image"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Choose-a-Therapist"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Improve Your Body Image","id":734138,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Improve-Your-Body-Image","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Improve-Your-Body-Image-Step-19.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Improve-Your-Body-Image-Step-19.jpg","alt":"How to Improve Your Body Image"},{"title":"How to Choose a Therapist","id":45124,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Choose-a-Therapist","image":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Stop-Alcohol-Cravings-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Stop-Alcohol-Cravings-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Choose a Therapist"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You might be having some body dysmorphic thoughts.","meaning":"Based on your answers, you may struggle with a few negative or destructive thoughts about your body every now and then\u2014and we can\u2019t say for sure whether or not you have body dysmorphic disorder. Perhaps you look in the mirror and wish some of your features were different, or that you had the same physique as a celebrity. It\u2019s normal for thoughts like this to come and go, but sometimes, they might linger. Maybe they keep you up at night, or you\u2019re constantly trying to hide parts of yourself with clothing or makeup.

Our advice? Talk to a doctor or a therapist if your negative thoughts feel too overwhelming or all-consuming. Or, try some of these expert-backed tips:

  • Write down 10 things you like about yourself that aren\u2019t related to how you look. Keep this list somewhere you can read it whenever you feel down.<\/li>
  • Surround yourself with positive people. If a friend makes fun of the way you look, they might not be a true friend. <\/li>
  • Wear clothes that you feel confident and comfortable in. Remember, work with your body, not against it. <\/li>
  • Do something nice for yourself every now and then. Maybe that\u2019s taking a bubble bath or treating yourself to a night out. Your body does amazing things for you every day, so it deserves to be pampered.<\/li>
  • Say positive affirmations in the mirror. Rewrite those negative thoughts with positive ones like, \u201cI am beautiful\u201d or \u201cI am strong.\u201d<\/li><\/ul>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Improve-Your-Body-Image"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Feel-Better-About-the-Way-You-Look"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Improve Your Body Image","id":734138,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Improve-Your-Body-Image","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Improve-Your-Body-Image-Step-19.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Improve-Your-Body-Image-Step-19.jpg","alt":"How to Improve Your Body Image"},{"title":"How to Feel Better About the Way You Look","id":471815,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Feel-Better-About-the-Way-You-Look","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Feel-Better-About-the-Way-You-Look-Step-16.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Feel-Better-About-the-Way-You-Look-Step-16.jpg","alt":"How to Feel Better About the Way You Look"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You likely don\u2019t have body dysmorphia.","meaning":"Based on your answers, you probably don\u2019t have destructive thoughts about your body. You likely feel confident in your own skin\u2014just as you should! You\u2019re one fierce, strong, and confident individual who knows their own worth inside and out. You\u2019ve likely always had a positive body image, and if you haven\u2019t, you\u2019ve learned to adopt one over the years. If a negative thought starts to wiggle in, you know how to block it out. And that\u2019s because you know that you\u2019re beautiful just the way you are. We couldn\u2019t agree more!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Love-Yourself"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-Self-Confident"}],"link_data":[{"title":"Loving Yourself: Simple and Easy Ways to Practice Self-Love Every Day","id":65169,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Love-Yourself","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Love-Yourself-Step-25-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Love-Yourself-Step-25-Version-3.jpg","alt":"Loving Yourself: Simple and Easy Ways to Practice Self-Love Every Day"},{"title":"How to Be Self Confident","id":573888,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-Self-Confident","image":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Be-Self-Confident-Step-16.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Be-Self-Confident-Step-16.jpg","alt":"How to Be Self Confident"}],"minimum":0}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Is My Aesthetic Quiz"},{"title":"What Makeup Should I Wear Quiz","id":13240117,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Makeup-Should-I-Wear-Quiz","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Makeup Should I Wear Quiz"},{"title":"What Color Should I Dye My Hair Quiz","id":13350484,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Color-Should-I-Dye-My-Hair-Quiz","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Color Should I Dye My Hair Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"My mental health. Help me learn about my wellbeing.","result":"We're here to help! Try some of these quizzes to learn more about yourself:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"Social Anxiety Test","id":13350370,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Social-Anxiety-Test","image":"\"Social<\/picture>","alt":"Social Anxiety Test"},{"title":"Depression Test","id":13624617,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Depression-Test","image":"\"Depression<\/picture>","alt":"Depression Test"},{"title":"What's Your Mindset Quiz","id":13699974,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Whats-Your-Mindset","image":"\"Whats<\/picture>","alt":"What's Your Mindset Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

What Is Body Dysmorphia?

Also known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), body dysmorphia is a mental condition where an individual constantly thinks about flaws in their physical appearance. This condition can happen in men and women of any age, but it’s the most common in adolescents. BDD isn’t a sign of vanity; on the contrary, it’s a life-altering condition that can negatively impact a person’s body image and confidence. While the causes of body dysmorphia are unknown, studies have linked the condition to genetics (specifically those exposed to OCD and depression), chemical imbalances in the brain, traumatic experiences (bullying, abuse, etc.), and other mental health conditions (eating disorders, anxiety, etc.).

Signs of Body Dysmorphia:

  • Worrying about or being preoccupied with a specific part or area of the body.
  • Constantly comparing your looks to others.
  • Seeking reassurance from others about how you look.
  • Attempting to hide flaws with clothing, makeup, etc.
  • A strong belief that your body or appearance is “ugly,” “defective,” or “not right.”
  • The belief that others are constantly mocking or making fun of your appearance.
  • Frequently checking your reflection.
  • Grooming or picking at your skin or body.
  • Avoiding social situations.

Treating Body Dysmorphia:

There’s no shame in asking for help. Body dysmorphia isn’t something you have to be embarrassed about. Doctors, therapists, and counselors are here to help you. After all, this is what they’re trained to do! When you reach out to a licensed professional, they’ll likely ask you questions to further assess your mental state. Then, depending on your results, they may encourage you to try one (or both) of these treatments to help strengthen your relationship with and perspective of your body:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is when you work 1-on-1 with a therapist to manage your BDD symptoms by altering the way you think and behave.
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant that may help improve your symptoms.


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Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.

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