Recognising body dysmorphic disorder in teenagers

Most teenagers are self-conscious about how they look at some point. For a smaller group, appearance concern becomes something heavier — hours lost to the mirror, activities avoided, and a fixed belief that something is wrong with how they look, even when others cannot see it. This is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and it commonly begins in adolescence.

What our team has written about

Dr Beth O'Gorman, with Dr Cynthia Turner, has written on body dysmorphic disorder in adolescents — how it presents in this age group and why it is so often missed.

What to look for

BDD tends to hide. The distress is real, but the appearance concern is rarely volunteered, so it can look like ordinary teenage self-consciousness for a long time. Signs include repeated mirror checking (or avoiding mirrors), comparing, camouflaging, reassurance-seeking, and avoiding photos or social situations because of appearance.

What this means for families

If a teenager's appearance concerns are taking up significant time, driving avoidance, or affecting school and friendships, it is worth an assessment rather than waiting to see if they grow out of it. BDD is treatable — the recommended treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy, including exposure and response prevention — and treatment is paced and done collaboratively with the young person.

Reference Turner, C., & O'Gorman, B. (2015). Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Adolescents. Australian Clinical Psychologist, 1(1), 70–73.

Authored by Dr Beth O'Gorman, Clinical Psychologist, The Moore Centre (with Dr Cynthia Turner).

This article is general clinical information and does not constitute personal clinical advice. For assessment and treatment, please make an enquiry.