17 Apr The Hidden Battle, recognising Signs of Body Dysmorphia in Men
Signs of Body Dysmorphia in Men.
In boardrooms and locker rooms alike, there’s a rising but often unspoken battle being fought—body dysmorphia in men. Once considered a “women’s issue,” body image concerns are now impacting high-performing men at alarming rates.
It is believed to affect around 2% of the population although it’s hard to accurately gauge the figure as many cases go unreported often due to lack of awareness. Up to 40% are believed to be male.
What Is Body Dysmorphia—and How Does It Show Up in Men?
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in appearance—flaws often invisible to others. Signs of body dysmorphia in men can look like:
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- Constantly checking the mirror or avoiding reflections altogether.
- Obsessing over muscle size (muscle dysphoria), hair loss, or skin imperfections.
- Excessive grooming, working out, or restrictive dieting.
- Anxiety in social or professional settings.
- Struggling with self-worth, despite outward success.
- Excessive body modifications, surgery, fillers, sun beds.
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Body dysmorphia is often linked with other ‘body focussed repetitive behaviours.’ E.g. skin picking, nail biting, hair pulling, cheek biting, lip licking.
You might be running a company, leading a team, or breaking records—yet feel quietly at war with your own reflection. Left unchecked, body dysmorphia can lead to burnout, depression, isolation, and disconnection. It can also lead to the breakdown of, or inability to engage in, healthy intimate and personal relationships.
Why High-Achieving Men Are at Greater Risk
Success often brings pressure to maintain a certain image. Whether you’re in the public eye, on stage, or in the spotlight, the expectation to “look the part” can amplify internal insecurities. But here’s the truth: you’re not alone, and you can reclaim control.
How I Can Help With Body Dysmorphia
As someone who has personally been affected by body dysmorphia I understand the nuanced areas of this debilitating condition, and the feelings of shame and self-loathing and drive focus on perfectionism that fuel Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Many people are undiagnosed living with and managing this condition.
A specialist hypnotherapist and coach working with elite men, I offer discreet, results-driven support to help you rewrite the inner script. The key is building a strong sense of self-worth and self-validation, many of which successful men believe they have. However, when they come to me and we probe beneath the surface, they are significantly lacking.
The key to gauging a level self-worth is to imagine stripping yourself down in every way, to your sense of self at your core. Who are you without the cars, your looks, clothes, surgery, successful business(es), accolades, social media following, your family and personal social network, the houses, holidays and material things?
In your rawness as a human being do you feel infinitely valuable or is your sense of value tied to any of the above? With body dysmorphia there is in my opinion always a lack of self-worth. It can be difficult to gauge it when surrounded by people and things that ‘validate’ us. This is where my work comes in.
In a nutshell….
I help you build your inner powerhouse so that you have a strong sense of self that aligns with your outward successes.
Together, we’ll shift limiting beliefs, calm obsessive thoughts, and reconnect you to self-worth beyond appearance.
You’ve built success on discipline and drive. Now, let’s build inner peace with the same focus.
Ready to stop Body Dysmorphia affecting your success and happiness?
Let’s talk. Book your call with me here…
https://calendly.com/rebeccadakin/
More on my journey with Body dysmorphia here… https://rebeccadakin.com/