body dysmorphic disorder

American  

[bod-ee dis-mawr-fik dis-awr-der] / ˈbɒd i dɪsˈmɔr fɪk dɪsˌɔr dər /

noun

1. a mental disorder characterized by distorted body image and obsessions about perceived physical shortcomings. BDD

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body dysmorphic disorder British  

noun

1. a psychological disorder characterized by a strong feeling that one's appearance or health would be improved by the removal of a healthy body part

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Etymology

Origin of body dysmorphic disorder

First recorded in 1985–90; dys- + -morphic

Example Sentences

We make similar distinctions in conditions like body dysmorphic disorder and hoarding disorder: The meaning of the preoccupation determines how we treat it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

Around 5 to 10 million people in the United States have body dysmorphic disorder, which includes the face.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2023

The fashion doll that ensured generations of girls were stricken with body dysmorphic disorder before the age of 10 comes alive in “Barbie,” a comedy written by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2023

While eating disorders have been widely publicized for decades, far less attention has been given to a related condition called body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2023

So how is body dysmorphic disorder different from normal appearance concerns?

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2023