Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a serious mental health condition that affects people in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan. People living with BDD are preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance—flaws that are minor or not visible to others. This concern goes far beyond normal appearance worries and can significantly interfere with daily life, work, school, and relationships.

In Grand Rapids, mental health professionals at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and local private practices regularly support patients struggling with BDD and related anxiety disorders.

What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental illness where a person:

Constantly worries about how they look
Believes they have a serious defect or flaw in their appearance, even if others don’t see it
Spends a lot of time thinking about, checking, or trying to fix the perceived flaw

These thoughts are intrusive and distressing. They are not a sign of vanity or superficiality. Many people with BDD recognize that their fears are exaggerated, while others are completely convinced something is “wrong” with their body.

BDD Causes Severe Emotional Distress

For many people in Grand Rapids with BDD, the preoccupation with appearance:

Makes it hard to focus at school (including local high schools and colleges like Grand Valley State University or GRCC)
Interferes with work performance
Leads to social withdrawal, avoiding events, churches, gyms, or gatherings along the Grand River or downtown

Telling someone with BDD to “just get over it” or “stop worrying” is not helpful. BDD is a mental health condition that often requires professional treatment.

How Common Is BDD?

Research suggests that about 1–2% of the population may have body dysmorphic disorder. Men and women are affected at similar rates. BDD usually begins in the teenage years, when body image concerns naturally increase.

In a city like Grand Rapids—with a diverse population and strong social media use—teens and young adults may feel extra pressure to look a certain way, especially during seasons when appearance feels more exposed (like summer at Lake Michigan beaches) or when winter isolation worsens anxiety and depression.

Any Part of the Body Can Be a Focus

People with BDD can become preoccupied with virtually any part of the body. Common areas of concern include:

Face (skin, acne, scars, wrinkles, facial hair)
Nose, eyes, ears, lips, or jawline
Hair (thinning hair, hairline, body hair)
Skin color or texture
Abdomen, thighs, buttocks, or legs
Overall body shape or size
Specific features such as hands, feet, or muscles

The severity of BDD symptoms can range from mild to extremely disabling.

Common Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Symptoms can vary depending on which body part is the focus, but common signs of BDD include:

Spending hours each day thinking about a perceived flaw
Constantly asking family or friends for reassurance about appearance, but not believing their answers
Frequently checking mirrors, reflective surfaces, or phone cameras
– or, in some cases, avoiding mirrors entirely (covering or removing them)
Comparing appearance to others in person or on social media
Avoiding social situations, school, work, or public places in Grand Rapids where they feel others might notice the “defect”
Wearing hats, makeup, baggy clothes, or other items to hide or camouflage the area of concern
Excessive grooming, such as:
- Shaving the same area repeatedly
- Styling hair for long periods
- Reapplying makeup over and over
Picking or squeezing skin blemishes for long periods, sometimes causing scarring
Extreme dieting or over-exercising to change body shape
Seeking dermatologic or cosmetic procedures that doctors say are unnecessary
Repeating cosmetic surgeries, especially on the same body part
Depression, anxiety, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts or behaviors

If you or someone you know in Grand Rapids has these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help.

BDD and Cosmetic Procedures in Grand Rapids

Some people with body dysmorphic disorder seek:

Dermatology treatments (for example, repeated procedures for minor skin issues)
Cosmetic surgery (such as nose reshaping, lip fillers, or body contouring)

Plastic surgeons and dermatologists in Grand Rapids (including those affiliated with Spectrum Health and Metro Health) are increasingly trained to recognize BDD. Many will recommend a mental health evaluation when they suspect that cosmetic treatment will not resolve the person’s distress.

Risks of Cosmetic and Surgical Procedures

Any medical or surgical procedure carries health risks. For people with BDD, unnecessary cosmetic procedures can:

Lead to disappointment with the results
Intensify focus on the “flaw” or shift the obsession to another body part
Worsen depression, anxiety, and BDD symptoms

Because BDD is a mental health condition, psychotherapy and medication are usually more effective than surgery in the long term.

What Causes Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

The exact cause of BDD is not fully understood. Current research suggests several contributing factors:

Genetics
A family history of anxiety, depression, OCD, or BDD may increase risk.
Brain chemistry
Imbalances in brain chemicals (neurotransmitters such as serotonin) may play a role.
Personality and self-esteem
People with low self-esteem, perfectionism, or a strong need to meet unrealistic appearance standards may be more vulnerable.
Life experiences
Bullying, teasing, or criticism about appearance—especially during adolescence—can trigger BDD in someone who is already at risk.
Cultural and social pressures
Western beauty standards, social media, and comparison with celebrities and influencers can make people in Grand Rapids feel they do not “measure up,” especially during seasons when body image is more visible (like summer at local pools or beaches).
Substance use
Certain drugs, such as ecstasy, may contribute to or worsen symptoms in some people.

Conditions Similar to BDD

Body dysmorphic disorder overlaps with, or is sometimes confused with, other mental health conditions. These include:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
BDD is similar because people have obsessive thoughts about appearance and perform repetitive behaviors like mirror checking or skin picking.
Some people in Grand Rapids may be diagnosed with both OCD and BDD.

Social phobia involves intense fear of social situations and being judged or embarrassed.
If the fear of social situations is driven mainly by worries about appearance, BDD may be the underlying problem.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the fear of situations or places where escape feels difficult, leading some people to avoid leaving home.
People with severe BDD may also rarely leave their home in Grand Rapids, but their avoidance is driven by fear of exposing their perceived defect to others.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder focused on weight, food restriction, and a drive for thinness.
BDD is focused on specific body parts or features, not only weight.
It is possible to have both anorexia nervosa and BDD at the same time.

Hypochondriasis (Illness Anxiety)

Hypochondriasis involves a preoccupation with having a serious illness.
In BDD, the preoccupation is with appearance, not health.

Trichotillomania and Skin Picking

Trichotillomania is the urge to pull out hair (scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes).
Some people with BDD pull hair or pick at skin due to appearance concerns.
Chronic skin picking (for example, squeezing blemishes for hours) can be related to BDD when it is driven by the desire to “fix” perceived flaws.

Because BDD can resemble these conditions, careful assessment by a mental health professional in Grand Rapids is essential for accurate diagnosis.

Why BDD Is Often Misdiagnosed

Diagnosing body dysmorphic disorder can be challenging for several reasons:

Many people with BDD feel ashamed and hide their symptoms.
They are more likely to see dermatologists or cosmetic surgeons than psychologists or psychiatrists.
Some healthcare providers may be unfamiliar with BDD or may focus only on depression or anxiety.
BDD shares symptoms with OCD, social anxiety, eating disorders, and other conditions.

If you are seeking help in Grand Rapids and feel your body image concerns are not being fully understood, consider asking your provider specifically about BDD or requesting a referral to a mental health specialist.

Treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Grand Rapids

Effective treatment is available in the Grand Rapids area. Most people benefit from a combination of psychotherapy and medication.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a first-line treatment for BDD. CBT for BDD often includes:

Education about BDD
Understanding that BDD is a recognized mental health condition, not a personal weakness.
Challenging unhelpful thoughts
Learning to identify and question distorted beliefs about appearance (for example, “Everyone is staring at my nose” or “I am unlovable because of my skin”).
Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
Gradually facing feared situations (such as going out in public without heavy makeup or a hat) while reducing rituals like mirror checking, reassurance seeking, or skin picking.
Building coping and management skills
Training in how to manage anxiety and distress, including:
- Relaxation techniques
- Breathing exercises to reduce hyperventilation
- Mindfulness strategies to stay present

CBT is offered by many psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and clinical social workers in Grand Rapids, including those affiliated with Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and local community mental health centers.

Medication

Medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are often helpful. These antidepressants can:

Reduce obsessive thoughts about appearance
Decrease compulsive behaviors (checking, grooming, picking)
Improve depression and anxiety symptoms

Medication is usually prescribed by a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or primary care physician. In Grand Rapids, you can access medication management through:

Hospital-based psychiatry departments
Private psychiatric practices
Community mental health services

Most people respond best when medication is combined with CBT.

Coping Skills and Daily Management

Alongside professional treatment, people with BDD in Grand Rapids can benefit from practical coping strategies:

Limit mirror time
Set specific times and time limits for grooming and checking.
Reduce social media comparison
Take breaks from apps that trigger body comparison.
Stay active
Regular physical activity—whether walking along the Grand River, using indoor gyms during Michigan’s cold winters, or joining group fitness classes—can support mood and overall health (but avoid over-exercising to “fix” appearance).
Build a supportive network
Stay connected with trusted friends, family, or support groups who understand that BDD is a real condition.
Practice self-compassion
Work on treating yourself with kindness instead of harsh self-criticism.

Local Resources for BDD in Grand Rapids, MI

If you suspect you or a loved one may have body dysmorphic disorder, consider these steps and local resources:

Start With:

Your primary care provider (PCP)
Family doctors and internists in Grand Rapids can:
- Rule out other medical conditions
- Screen for BDD, anxiety, depression, or OCD
- Refer you to mental health specialists
Local mental health professionals
- Psychologists and therapists specializing in anxiety, OCD, and body image
- Psychiatrists for medication evaluation

Grand Rapids & Kent County Resources

Kent County Health Department
Offers information on mental health resources and referrals within Kent County.
Network180 (Kent County Community Mental Health)
Provides mental health and substance use services, including assessment and referrals.
Hospital Systems in Grand Rapids
- Spectrum Health (Corewell Health)
- Trinity Health Grand Rapids
- Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
- Mercy Health services in the broader West Michigan region
  These systems offer outpatient behavioral health services, psychiatry, and therapy.
Grand Rapids Public Health & Community Clinics
Some community health centers provide integrated behavioral health services and can connect you with local therapists.

If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, contact emergency services (911) or go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids.

When to Seek Help

Consider seeking professional help if:

You spend hours each day thinking about a perceived flaw.
Your worries about appearance are affecting school, work, or relationships.
You avoid social events, classes, or public places in Grand Rapids because of how you think you look.
You feel depressed, hopeless, or have thoughts of suicide.

Body dysmorphic disorder is treatable. With the right support—through local Grand Rapids healthcare providers, therapists, and community resources—many people experience significant improvement and can live full, meaningful lives.

Key Points About BDD in Grand Rapids

Body dysmorphic disorder is a serious mental illness, not vanity.
BDD usually starts in the teenage years and affects both men and women.
Any body part can become the focus of obsessive concern.
BDD causes severe emotional distress and can interfere with daily life in school, work, and social settings.
Effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications such as SSRIs.
Cosmetic or surgical procedures carry health risks and often do not resolve BDD.
Local help is available in Grand Rapids through primary care providers, mental health professionals, hospital systems, and community resources.