About 1–2% or 1 in 50 people are affected by Body Dysmorphia Disorder — a mental health problem characterized by an intense preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s appearance. These flaws are often minor or completely unnoticeable to others, yet individuals with the disorder may spend hours obsessing over them. This can lead to severe emotional distress and interfere with everyday life, including work, school, and relationships.

People with Body Dysmorphia Disorder (BDD) often engage in repetitive behaviors such as excessive mirror checking, grooming, skin picking, or constantly seeking reassurance about their appearance. Some may avoid mirrors altogether, withdraw socially, or even seek out unnecessary cosmetic procedures in an attempt to fix the imagined defect. The obsession is not simply about vanity; it stems from a deeper psychological issue that causes significant distress and impairment.

BDD commonly begins during adolescence, a period when people become more conscious of their appearance. While it can affect anyone, it often goes undiagnosed because individuals may be too embarrassed to talk about their concerns, or their symptoms may be mistaken for low self-esteem or social anxiety. Without treatment, the disorder can worsen over time, leading to depression, isolation, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.

Fortunately, Body Dysmorphia Disorder is treatable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for BDD, helping individuals challenge negative thoughts and develop healthier thinking patterns. In some cases, medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed to help manage symptoms. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for recovery, offering those affected a chance to regain control and improve their quality of life.

This Gallery of images made me think of BBD and how people perceive their bodies. In this experiment, they’re hideously deformed with multiple conjoined heads and faces, weird growths and disproportionate bodies.

I think they’re quite beautiful in their own way though.

Here’s what AI described one of them as:

The image presents a jarring and unsettling tableau of two nude, pale-skinned women. They appear to be conjoined or fused in some way, their bodies intimately intertwined. The woman on top has short, platinum blonde hair, and her face displays superficial cuts and wounds that bleed a dark reddish-brown substance reminiscent of blood, dripping down her cheek. Her expression is one of pained resignation or perhaps stoicism.

The woman underneath has light pink or lavender hair. Her head appears partially detached or grafted to the other woman’s body, with similar cuts and wounds visibly bleeding. Her mouth is slightly open, revealing a look of distress or shock. Her face and body seem somewhat damaged or deformed.

The most striking element, however, is a grotesque, parasitic-looking creature embedded in the chest of the top woman. This creature has an oversized, distorted face with large, bulging eyes and a gaping, saliva-dripping mouth; its features are distinctly alien and monstrous. The creature’s flesh appears fleshy and pallid, almost translucent in places, similar in texture to the women’s skin. Thin, stringy tendrils seem to connect the creature to the woman’s flesh.

The overall atmosphere is one of profound unease and disturbing beauty. The muted color palette of pale pinks, browns, and greys enhances the unsettling mood. The background is mainly a neutral, muted beige draped cloth, which creates a sense of isolation and reinforces the focus on the figures’ disturbing forms. The lighting is soft and diffused, avoiding harsh shadows, but this only serves to further highlight the grotesque details of the composition. The image evokes a disturbing blend of horror, surrealism, and perhaps a hint of psychological distress.