Amid rising social media influences, health experts highlight early warning signs of body dysmorphic disorder in children and emphasise the importance of parental support and early intervention.
As the school year gets under way, many parents are watching not only grades and schedules, but also the pressure their children feel about appearance. Dr. Marshneil Chavan, a primary care physician at Premiere Pediatrics in Irvine, wrote in the Orange County Register that this tension can be especially intense for middle and high school pupils, when social media filters and artificial intelligence tools can make perfection seem like the norm rather than the exception.
That pressure can contribute to body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, a mental health condition marked by a fixation on flaws in appearance that may be slight or not visible to other people. The Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Psychology Today, the NHS and the National Institute of Mental Health all describe the condition as one that can lead to repeated checking, grooming or reassurance-seeking, alongside serious distress and disruption to everyday life. Those sources also note that BDD often begins in adolescence or early adulthood, though it can affect younger children as well.
Chavan said parents should pay attention to repeated questions about appearance, long spells in front of the mirror or complete avoidance of mirrors and photographs, and a habit of hiding the body in loose clothing even in hot weather. Other warning signs include excessive makeup use, pulling away from family activities and friends, and abrupt changes in eating habits or weight. He said those behaviours do not amount to a diagnosis on their own, but they are reason enough to start a conversation and seek help early.
If those signs appear, Chavan advised speaking first with a paediatrician, who can assess the child and, if needed, refer them to a psychologist for cognitive behavioural therapy, a form of talking treatment commonly used for BDD. In more severe cases, a psychiatrist may be involved if medication is considered. At home, he urged parents to model healthier language around bodies, avoid commenting on a child’s weight, praise effort rather than looks, and respond to insecurity with reassurance instead of argument. The aim, he wrote, is to make children feel supported before self-criticism hardens into a deeper problem.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
