Body Dysmorphia Test
How the Scales are Structured
Who Usually Takes This Test?
See How You Compare
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This brief self-report measure is designed to screen for and quantify distress related to perceived defects or flaws in appearance that are minimal or not observable to others. Developed by Katharine A. Phillips, the Body Dysmorphia Test uses the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Scale (BDD-D) to support rapid identification of appearance-related preoccupation and its impact on daily functioning. It consists of 5 items and typically takes about 1 minute to complete.
Why Take a Body Dysmorphia Test
Concerns about appearance exist on a spectrum — from ordinary self-consciousness to a preoccupation so intense it consumes hours a day, causes significant distress, and drives avoidance of social situations, mirrors, or photographs. What distinguishes clinically significant body dysmorphia from normal appearance concern is not the specific flaw itself, which is often minimal or invisible to others, but the amount of time, distress, and functional impairment it causes.
A structured test for body dysmorphia captures exactly this distinction. Rather than asking whether a perceived flaw exists, the BDD-D asks how much time is spent thinking about it, how much distress it causes, how hard it is to control, and how much it interferes with daily life. This is a more clinically meaningful question than "am I unattractive?" — because BDD is fundamentally a disorder of preoccupation and distress, not of actual appearance.
This body dysmorphia quiz is especially useful for people who suspect their appearance concerns have moved beyond ordinary self-consciousness, and for those already in therapy who want a quick, repeatable way to track whether obsessive appearance-related thoughts are improving over time.
What the Assessment Measures
The BDD-D rates severity across five core dimensions of appearance-related preoccupation:
- Time occupied — how many hours per day are spent thinking about the perceived flaw
- Distress — how much emotional distress the preoccupation causes
- Difficulty controlling symptoms — how hard it is to stop or redirect thoughts about the perceived flaw once they start
- Avoidance — how often the preoccupation leads to avoiding activities, places, or social situations
- Functional impact — the overall effect on daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life
Each item is rated on a 1–5 scale, yielding a total severity score. Higher scores indicate more pronounced appearance-related preoccupation and greater associated impairment.
Who This Assessment Is For
This Body Dysmorphia Test is appropriate for anyone who feels persistently distressed about a perceived flaw — including concerns focused on the face, skin, hair, or specific body features — and wants to understand how much it is affecting their mood, confidence, and daily life. It is also useful for people already in psychotherapy, or considering it, who want a quick, structured check of obsessive appearance-related thoughts to discuss with a specialist.
Clinical Validity and Use in Practice
The BDD-D was developed by Katharine A. Phillips, a leading researcher in body dysmorphic disorder. It is not diagnostic on its own and should be interpreted in the context of a comprehensive clinical assessment, including interview and consideration of differential diagnoses and comorbid conditions such as OCD or eating disorders. Where scores indicate high severity, consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in BDD treatment is recommended.