Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Looksmaxxing—a social media trend focused on maximizing physical attractiveness among teenage boys and young men—often mirrors symptoms of body dysmorphia and eating disorders, and should be treated as a serious mental health concern rather than merely a cultural phenomenon.

In BDD, people are tormented by obsessive thoughts associated with a part or parts of their physical appearance being flawed in some way, yet these flaws tend not to be noticeable to anyone but themselves.

While fitness can initially serve as a healthy and disciplined outlet for young men, the constant exposure to idealized online images can warp dedication into muscle dysmorphia, a rigid form of body dysmorphic disorder driven by anxiety and shame.

Surgery can be lifesaving. Surgery is often needed and can, for many conditions and situations, be a game changer. But more often than not, a surgical procedure for someone with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) will not help. It could potentially relieve the person of their symptoms for a short amount of time but it cannot treat or cure the underlying disorder.