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 issue is related to the more severe body dysmorphic disorder, which is characterized “by excessive preoccupation with an imagined defect in physical appearance or markedly excessive concern with a slight physical anomaly.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2023

People with body dysmorphic disorder and those with eating disorders share similar negative emotions such as shame, disgust and anger about their appearance.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2023

Common body dysmorphic disorder behaviors include, from most to least common:

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2023