The Beach and Body Dysmorphia

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. These flaws are often unnoticeable to others. People of any age can have BDD, but it's most common in teenagers and young adults. It affects both men and women.

Summer is a trigger for anyone struggling with an eating disorder, body image issues or a mental health condition. The lack of structure in the summer months can lead to disrupted routines, which can lead to an increase in emotion dysregulation and unhealthy behaviors.

In the mental health field, research has found that the summer months often make eating disorders and mental health symptoms worse. We observe an increase in anxiety, depression, body dissatisfaction and negative self-talk. More clients report skipping meals, over-exercising and spending time obsessing about their bodies and food. This doesn’t just affect young adults, females, or people who are in recovery. People of all ages and genders are susceptible to the summer vulnerability factors. In this show I speak to help those who may be struggling with these illnesses to identify their symptoms and seek help. I also talk to those who do not know how to identify a friend or loved one that may be in need, so they can aid others in finding help and recovery.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff