Body Dysmorphia in Men: Signs, Causes and Solutions

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is more than just feeling insecure about your appearance. It involves intense, often overwhelming shame and anxiety about perceived flaws—flaws that are usually minor or invisible to others. BDD can deeply affect every part of a person’s life, from relationships to work and mental health.

Although it’s often associated with women, many men struggle with BDD, too. Their experience is frequently shaped by toxic masculinity and the media’s narrow portrayal of the “ideal man”—muscular, tall, and flawless.

This guide breaks down how body dysmorphia shows up in men, what causes it, how it impacts daily life, and what effective treatment and support can look like.

Key Takeaways 

• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is when people obsess about their physical imperfections.
• It affects men just as much as women, but many men don’t talk about it.
• Muscle dysmorphia, genital concerns, and height are common in men with BDD.
• BDD can negatively impact mental health, work, and relationships.
• It can be treated with therapy, medication, and support.
• Talking about BDD helps break the silence and reduce shame.

What is Body Dysmorphia in Men?

The clinical definition of BDD is “a preoccupation with a perceived defect or flaw in one’s physical appearance when, in fact, they appear normal.” People with the condition fixate on their physical imperfections, feeling ashamed of their body, or fear that others notice what they see as “wrong.”

While not everyone sees themselves as perfect, BDD goes beyond feeling insecure. People with BDD often think about their appearance for many hours a day. These thoughts can be distressing and may lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as obsessive mirror checking or excessive spending on products and treatments aimed at altering one’s appearance. 

Historically, BDD has been most associated with women, particularly around weight and thinness. However, both genders are affected. In a 2022 survey, 54% of men in the UK showed signs of body dysmorphia, compared to 49% of women. 

Men tend to be most concerned with physical qualities associated with masculinity, such as a strong body build, large genital size, and tall height. They often feel pressure to look like what the media portrays as a stereotypical alpha male.

BDD mainly affects young men. Social media platforms like Instagram play a big role, with influencers promoting unrealistic bodies and extreme diet and fitness regimes. 

What Causes Body Dysmorphia in Men?

Body dysmorphia does not have one single cause. Many factors shape how someone sees their body.

Environmental causes may include:

Researchers have also found particular patterns in the brains of people with BDD. These include:

• Increased connectivity between brain areas involved in emotion and processing visual information
• Abnormally high levels of oxytocin, a chemical messenger involved in social behaviour
• Disrupted connectivity in the orbitofrontal cortex, a brain area involved in emotion and decoding reward and punishment

Research shows 70% of people with BDD are likely to have another mental health condition. Mood disorders like depression and anxiety are characterised by negative thinking and low self-esteem, which can contribute to BDD. 

What is Muscle Dysmorphia?

Muscle dysmorphia, or “bigorexia,” is a type of BDD that mostly affects men. The condition is similar to anorexia, but rather than being fixated on losing weight, people are fixated on building muscles. Characteristic signs of muscle dysmorphia include:

• Spend many hours in the gym each week
• Follow strict diets and obsessively counting calories and protein content
• Feel anxious or guilty for missing workouts
• Avoiding social events so as not to miss training time
• Use steroids or supplements to “bulk up”

This type of BDD is largely influenced by the fitness and bodybuilding culture, which tends to promote extreme discipline and aesthetics over health. 

While building muscle is certainly beneficial, overtraining poses several health risks, such as muscle tears, joint damage, and heart strain. Steroid use can also be dangerous, increasing the risk of liver damage and heart disease. 

Body Dysmorphia and Genital Concerns in Men

Small penis syndrome, or PDD, is when people feel shame and anxiety about the size of their penis. They may think it is too small, even when it falls within a normal range. 

People with BDD may:

• Often looking at themselves naked in the mirror
• Obsessivley compare their penis size with others 
• Avoid intimacy or relationships
• Wear certain clothes to hide this part of the body

Pornography plays a big role in this concern. Most male porn stars are selected specifically because they have larger-than-average penises. This creates a skewed perception of what’s “normal” or desirable. If someone is already vulnerable to body image concerns, seeing these exaggerated standards reinforces insecurities about their own body. 

Height Dysmorphia in Men

Height is another common worry. Some men with BDD feel too short and believe this makes them less attractive or respected. 

Society often links tallness with power, success, and strength. These ideas can make some men feel like their height is a problem, even when it’s average.

Like other forms of BDD, this concern can cause sadness and shame. People may avoid photos, mirrors, and even relationships. In severe cases, they may consider extreme surgeries such as leg lengthening.

How to Detect Body Dysmorphia in Men

Many men do not realize they have BDD. They might think their worries are normal or believe others would agree with their views. However, the signs are more severe than typical self-consciousness.

Here are signs that can help you notice body dysmorphia:

A mental health expert can help you know for sure. They use tools like questionnaires and interviews to make a diagnosis.

Effective Treatments for Body Dysmorphia in Men

Body dysmorphia does not go away on its own. It needs real treatment, just like any other mental health problem. 

The main therapies for BDD include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps people change the way they think and act. 
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This teaches people to notice negative thoughts without acting on them, and helps people tolerate anxiety. 
• Medication: Doctors may suggest SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) to help reduce obsessive thoughts and anxiety in extreme cases.

Doctors do not recommend surgery to treat BDD. In most cases, it does not help and can make the disorder worse. The issue is not with the body—it is with how the brain sees the body.

Why Support Networks Matter for Men With BDD

Men with BDD often suffer in silence due to gendered stigma around mental health and body image. Support groups provide a safe, judgment-free space where men can realize they’re not alone and that their experiences are valid.  

In male-focused groups, members can discuss struggles around masculinity. This may be more valuable than mixed-gender groups, as they may find the struggles of others more relatable. The sense of shared struggle can help people feel less isolated and build a sense of camaraderie.

How to Access Male BDD Support Networks

• Therapy Centers and Clinics: Ask about group therapy options, especially those tailored for men or BDD.
• Online Forums: Platforms like Reddit (e.g., r/BodyDysmorphia) offer online spaces to share and hear about the experiences of BDD
• BDD Foundation: Online resources and peer support groups that take place virtually for people in the UK and the USA. 

FAQs 

Sources

• https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/body-dysmorphic-disorder/treatment/act-with-cbt-for-bdd
• https://bddfoundation.org/information/more-about-bdd/bdd-in-men/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1121529/ 

Martha Allitt

Martha is a freelance writer and journalist, whose work specialises in psychedelics, ketamine and mental health. She is a co-owner of the UK Psychedelic Society, and regularly curates, hosts and facilitates events around these topics. You can read her work on various platforms including Psycle Health, Double Blind , Lucid News, The Third Wave, and more. Martha is also a yoga teacher and–with a BSc in neuroscience—she is particularly fascinated by the interrelation of science and spirituality. She is currently making a documentary about Datura, exploring the lines between indigenous wisdom, hallucinations and the supernatural. Martha has volunteered with the charity PsyCare, providing welfare and harm-reduction advice at music events since 2019. She has facilitated workshops on the safe use of psychedelics and runs psychedelic integration events to help people process difficult experiences.

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