Reverse body dysmorphia is not a clinical diagnosis but a term that originated from TikTok. People use it colloquially to describe having a perception of their own appearance as “better” than it is.
The term “reverse body dysmorphia” comes from the term “body dysmorphia,” which is defined in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) or body dysmorphia is a mental health condition in which a person has a preoccupation with a perceived defect or flaw in their physical appearance that others do not perceive.
People may use reverse body dysmorphia to refer to the opposite, in which a person does not notice a perceived flaw or defect in their physical appearance that is apparent to others. They may also use it ironically about themselves to describe a negative perception of their body.
Reverse body dysmorphia may also refer to muscle dysmorphia, in which a person perceives their body as smaller or less muscular than it is.
Keep reading to learn more about what it means to have reverse body dysmorphia, the symptoms of body dysmorphia, the relationship between body image and mental health, and when and how to get help from a mental health professional.
“Reverse body dysmorphia” is a term used informally online. Its use may also trivialize clinical diagnoses like BDD, making light of the real impact and severity of this mental health condition.
In addition, people often use the term “reverse body dysmorphia” to refer to themselves, which suggests a closer relationship with body dysmorphia rather than being its opposite.
For instance, the person may feel confident in their body image until they view a photo or video of themselves taken by someone else. Then, they may not initially recognize themselves from a different perspective or may see themselves in a way that causes them to feel less confident about their appearance. They may refer to this experience as having reverse body dysmorphia.
On the surface, reverse body dysmorphia refers to having a positive self-image and ignoring “flaws” others may perceive.
However, its use ultimately promotes criticizing your appearance or someone else’s and maintaining, often unrealistic, expectations of what a person should look like.
If you’re sometimes unhappy with your appearance, you aren’t alone.
Negative self-image is a global mental health concern linked to appearance ideals that are often established to develop and maintain social hierarchies.
Many factors can negatively influence our perception of our own bodies:
- comparison to others, especially through social media, which can promote a singular homogenized version of beauty
- adherence to gender expectations, especially for binary genders
- adherence to cultural expectations, which may differ by group, and even cause contrasting expectations for people who are members of multiple cultural groups
- criticism from and of others, both in person and online, which may become internalized
- disability and chronic health conditions, such as psoriasis, breast cancer, diabetes, or having an ostomy pouch, which may limit what our bodies can do or change what they look like
Reflection
If you are experiencing negative feelings about your appearance, pause now, and think about:
- three things you like about yourself, whether about your appearance, abilities, or personality
- two things your body lets you do that make you feel happy or strong
- one thing that feeling good about yourself helps you achieve
Having a negative perception of your body or appearance can negatively affect your psychological well-being, according to 2024 research.
It may also increase the risk of certain mental health conditions, including:
- body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
- muscle dysmorphia, a type of BDD in which a person perceives their body as smaller or less muscular than it is in reality
- mood disorders, like anxiety or depression
- disordered eating, or food and diet behaviors that negatively affect mental health but do not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of an eating disorder
- low self-esteem
- relationship problems
- self-destructive behavior, which can include self-deprecating behavior and even be a coping mechanism
- self-harm, or intentional actions of harming or punishing yourself
Having a negative body image isn’t always BDD, though both can negatively affect your confidence and mental health.
BDD typically affects more aspects of your daily life and is more severe.
BDD is a clinical diagnosis and can cause symptoms that may include:
- having low self-esteem
- avoiding social situations
- problems concentrating in public
- engaging in behaviors intended to hide perceived flaws, which can range from excessive grooming to seeking plastic surgery
- checking mirrors repetitively or avoiding mirrors altogether
- compulsive behavior, such picking your skin (excoriation)
- changing clothes frequently and being unsatisfied with your appearance
Muscle dysmorphia is a type of body dysmorphic disorder in which a person perceives their body as smaller or less muscular than it is in reality. It can cause symptoms similar to BDD. Muscle dysmorphia is also not a clinical diagnosis.
Many people have negative feelings about their appearance from time to time.
Sometimes, you can manage those feelings on your own. Ways to manage them can include:
- taking a break from social media
- spending time with positive people who care about you
- choosing clothes that make you feel comfortable
- engaging in activities that use your body, such as hiking in nature
- caring for your body and mental health by engaging in self-care
However, sometimes negative feelings about your appearance may be too much to manage on your own. If this is the case, it’s best to talk with a professional.
If you feel preoccupied with your appearance or with comparing yourself to others, you may want to consider talking with a medical or mental health professional about your feelings.
It may be time to talk with a professional if those feelings:
- feel constant or overwhelming
- distract you from other things, such as social activities, school, or work
- cause you to change your behavior, such as avoid gatherings or engage in disordered eating habits
- make you feel depressed or otherwise have a negative impact on your mental health
You can talk with a mental health professional, like a counselor or therapist. If you don’t already have one, you can also talk with other healthcare professionals, such as primary care doctors.
They may recommend regular therapy sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in which they guide you in understanding and rephraming negative thoughts about your body. Techniques may include:
- learning and practicing new coping mechanisms
- recognizing and rewriting negative sentiments into ones that respect your body
- evaluating the effects of others, whether in person or through social media, on your mental health
- developing strategies to help improve your body image
- practicing body neutrality
Reverse body dysmorphia is not a clinical diagnosis. Rather, it’s a term that originated from social media and is used informally to describe having a perception of one’s own appearance as “better” than it is or that ignores certain “flaws.”
It may be related to having a negative body image or BDD.
Sometimes, practices like taking a break from social media or focusing instead on your strengths and abilities can help you feel better or neutral about your physical appearance.
If they don’t help, it’s best to talk with a mental health professional.