What Is A Body Dysmorphia Test?

At times, symptoms of a mental health condition may seem like a part of your personality rather than indicators of an underlying condition with treatable symptoms. Habits can be formed based on the symptoms you experience. One of these symptoms is body dysmorphia. 

It can be challenging for individuals to pinpoint body dysmorphic disorder. Society, media, and family may place importance on physical appearance throughout your life. As a result, someone with body image concerns might feel that focusing on specific physical features is normal. 

There may be a difference between wanting to improve or change your look and hyper-fixating on aspects of your body that you can or can't change. Hyper-fixation may be harmful to your overall self-esteem and mental health. However, there are ways to learn more about what body dysmorphia can mean and what it may look like, including a body dysmorphia quiz.

By identifying signs of body dysmorphia and understanding common symptoms, such as social anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders,* excessive grooming, and skin picking, individuals can seek treatment from BDD specialists for a proper diagnosis. Recognizing and addressing these concerns can help improve one's body image and overall well-being through the practice of self-compassion and self-care, ultimately leading to you having a better relationship with yourself.

*If you believe you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, reach out for help immediately. The National Eating Disorder Association Helpline is available at 1-800-931-2237 from Monday through Thursday between 9 AM and 9 PM EST and Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM EST.

What is body dysmorphia?

Those with body image issues may obsess over their appearance. They might wonder, "Why do I hate my body?" They might feel the need to constantly check mirrors or receive reassurance from other people that they are “beautiful” or “acceptable” to others. They are frequently bombarded with questions such, "Why do I feel ugly and fat? ”. This type of anxiety could cause significant distress to the affected person and make it feel challenging to function daily. 

Other signs and symptoms of body dysmorphia include:

• A firm belief that there is something wrong with one’s body that makes the person feel deformed or ugly

• A strong belief that other people are taking notice of and making judgments of certain parts of their body that the person is insecure about

• Engaging in obsessive, impulsive behavior targeted towards the perceived issues on the body, which may manifest in behaviors such as skin picking or frequently checking the mirror

• Trying to hide these “flaws” through clothes or makeup

• Consistently comparing oneself to other people, especially comparing the features that the person is unhappy with

• Showing perfectionist tendencies that interrupt daily life

• Avoiding social situations to avoid perceived rejection 

• Trying to find solutions for the “problem,” such as plastic surgery, often to one’s dissatisfaction

Body dysmorphic disorder can be treatable through counseling and social support. 

Body dysmorphic disorder quiz

While some body dysmorphic cases may not be as clear as others, some common signs could indicate body dysmorphia. A body dysmorphic disorder quiz could help you analyze your symptoms and decide whether to reach out for support. 

Here are some typical questions that might be asked during a body dysmorphia quiz to help you determine which symptoms you’d like to speak about with a professional. 

1. Do you often consciously (compulsively and obsessively) use reflective surfaces such as mirrors to check your appearance and keep track of a specific perceived flaw?

2. Do you often worry excessively about one or more parts of your body that you believe to be physical flaws? 

3. Do you avoid reflective surfaces to avoid looking at your appearance to prevent yourself from seeing your perceived flaws?

4. Do your perceived flaws worry you so much that you avoid social situations to prevent others from seeing these flaws or dealing with rejection sensitivity? 

5. Do you often take note of your flaws or attempt to touch or change them regularly?

6. Do you attempt to hide your flaws regularly using cosmetics, clothing, or hairstyles?

7. Do you find yourself regularly comparing yourself to other people around you to see how your flaw compares to features of people you may perceive as “normal” or “regular”?

8. Do you try to position yourself in specific ways or stay in hidden or non-populated areas to hide your perceived flaw?

9. Do you dedicate a significant amount of time towards grooming activities related to fixing the perceived flaw?

10. Do you consistently think about getting surgery, or are you currently pursuing cosmetic treatments or procedures that you believe would help you fix your perceived flaw?

11. Have you undergone cosmetic procedures in the past, only to be unsatisfied with the results immediately or shortly after the procedure was done? Have you continued to pursue these cosmetic procedures after getting procedures in the past so that you could continue to work on your perceived flaws?

12. Does your perceived flaw cause significant distress, or has it led to other mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression?

13. Do you find yourself consistently late to critical events because of your perceived flaw, and is it impacting your personal and professional life?

14. Do you avoid certain events or appearing in pictures due to your perceived flaws?

While this test is not to be used in place of advice from a medical professional, it could be a valuable tool in self-reflection. Consider journaling your answers and talking about them during your first session with a counselor, psychiatrist, or medical doctor. 

How do I find support from a mental health professional?

The first step in receiving treatment for any mental health symptom may be acknowledging and creating awareness of the issue. Once you are aware of the issue and acknowledge that treatment is possible, you may face less shame or hesitance in reaching out for help. 

You might find yourself wanting to care for your symptoms alone. While the test above can be informative, this condition must be diagnosed by a mental health professional who can guide you along the treatment process and provide you with the resources to manage your symptoms. Treatment may vary for each individual, so finding a professional to personalize your care can be essential. 

There are often several ways to jumpstart the healing process for body dysmorphia. You may choose to seek out an in-person counselor in your area who specializes in eating disorders and related conditions, or you might try online counseling. 

Online counseling for body dysmorphia 

Online therapy can help those managing body dysmorphia symptoms. Clinical studies have shown that online therapy effectively treats most mental health conditions. You may also find that online therapy can be cheaper than in-person therapy, as it often involves fewer peripheral costs.

Valuable online resources are often available for anyone who wants to get the help they need. Platforms like BetterHelp can be beneficial in matching you with a therapist that fits your mental health profile.