Body dysmorphia (BDD) is more than just disliking how you look in the mirror. It’s also a serious mental health condition that quietly impacts millions of people. While society often promotes unattainable beauty standards, those with this disorder live with a relentless inner critic that distorts their self-image and erodes their emotional well-being.

The Lie We’ve Been Sold About Body Dysmorphia (BDD)

BDD is characterized by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in appearance. In essence, flaws that are often minor or entirely imagined. This distorted self-view can lead to compulsive behaviors like mirror checking, excessive grooming, comparing oneself to others, or even seeking unnecessary cosmetic procedures.

What’s often misunderstood is how deeply this disorder can affect mental health. It doesn’t just cause dissatisfaction. But it can also lead to depression, anxiety, isolation, and even suicidal thoughts. People with BDD may withdraw from relationships, avoid social events, or struggle to function in work and school environments due to overwhelming shame and self-consciousness.

Every year as the weather warms up, so does the pressure. Fitness gurus, influencers, ads, and even well-meaning friends start buzzing about getting your “summer body” ready. But think for a second: what exactly is a “summer body”? Who gets to decide what it looks like? And what is the mental cost of chasing it?

The truth is, the summer body myth is just that — a myth, born from unrealistic beauty standards and driven by profit. Beneath the surface of beach-body goals lies a deeper issue: body dysmorphia, a mental health condition that warps how someone perceives their own appearance.

The Mental Health Toll

The emotional toll of BDD is often invisible. Sufferers may appear “put together” on the outside while internally battling a storm of self-hatred and anxiety. This mental conflict can interfere with daily life and prevent individuals from experiencing joy, connection, or peace.

Despite its severity, BDD often goes undiagnosed or misunderstood. Many individuals are unaware that their distress is rooted in a treatable mental health condition, not vanity or insecurity.

How Katherine Crusey, LMFT Can Help

This is where skilled mental health professionals like Katherine Crusey, LMFT, come in. Katherine offers psychotherapy services that focus on helping individuals regain a healthy relationship with their bodies and themselves.

Using evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Katherine helps clients challenge distorted thinking patterns and learn tools to reduce obsessive behaviors. Her approach is compassionate, non-judgmental, and tailored to each individual’s unique experience.

Working with Katherine Crusey means having a safe space to explore the emotional roots of body dysmorphia and build the self-worth necessary for long-term healing. Her therapy services can also include mindfulness practices. Also, self-compassion training, and strategies to cope with social anxiety and low self-esteem. All common challenges for those living with body dysmorphia.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re struggling with body dysmorphia, know this: you’re not broken, and you’re not alone. Help is available, and healing is possible. By reaching out to a professional like Katherine Crusey, LMFT, you’re taking a powerful step toward reclaiming your self-image and your life.

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