Test Result
High Indication
“Your results indicate a significant struggle with Body Dysmorphic patterns, where obsession with perceived flaws is deeply interfering with your peace of mind.”
Your overall pattern
Your responses strongly align with the patterns found in Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). This score indicates that your concern with your appearance has moved beyond simple insecurity and has become a dominant force in your life. You likely feel trapped by obsessive thoughts about your defects and compelled to perform rituals (checking, grooming, hiding) to cope with the distress.
To you, these flaws look undeniable and severe, but it is important to know that BDD is a distortion of perception. Your brain is magnifying details until they seem to outweigh everything else about you.
"You are not 'vain' and you are not 'crazy.' You are dealing with a very real anxiety loop that tricks your brain into seeing danger in the mirror. This pattern can be unlearned."
Typical behaviors
- Severe Interference: You may avoid social events, work, or dating specifically because you feel too anxious about how you look.
- Reassurance Rituals: You might spend hours grooming or asking for reassurance, yet the relief never lasts.
- Distorted Perception: What you see in the mirror is likely very different from what the world sees.
Strengths in this pattern
Note: It may feel hard to see strengths right now, but they are there.
- Perseverance: The immense energy you put into "fixing" things shows you have a powerful drive. Therapy can help you redirect this drive toward your life goals instead of your appearance.
- Deep Feeling: You likely experience emotions very deeply. Once the anxiety is managed, this capacity often translates into profound creativity and empathy for others' suffering.
Common pitfalls
The illusion of the physical solution
- Cosmetic Procedures: You may feel a strong urge to get surgery or procedures. In BDD, this rarely helps, because the problem is the "eye of the beholder," not the body itself.
- Isolation: You might withdraw to avoid being "seen," which only feeds the depression and loneliness.
"Reflection point: You are trying to solve an internal emotional problem with an external physical solution. That bridge does not exist."
What you can do next
Small actions you can start today
- Label the Thought: When the ugly thoughts come, say out loud: "This is a BDD thought. It is a symptom, not a fact."
- Limit Checking: strictly limit mirror time. Set a timer for 2 minutes in the morning, then cover the mirror.
Longer-term directions
- Seek Professional Support: This is the most important step. BDD is highly treatable with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). You do not have to fight this alone.
- Education: Read books specifically on "Overcoming Body Dysmorphic Disorder" to understand the mechanics of what your brain is doing.
Disclaimer and when to seek help
Important: This online test is a screening tool, not a clinical diagnosis. A high score indicates a high likelihood of BDD symptoms, but only a qualified mental health professional can provide a diagnosis. We strongly encourage you to show these results to a doctor or therapist.