What is BDD?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition in which individuals are preoccupied with perceived flaws in their physical appearance, often focusing on minor or invisible issues. These concerns lead to obsessive behaviors and significant distress, interfering with daily life. In athletes, the pressure to achieve specific physical ideals can amplify BDD symptoms. In 2022, a study conducted by Better revealed that 54% of men exhibited signs of BDD and 49% of women.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their abilities, feeling like frauds despite clear evidence of their success. They fear being "exposed" as inadequate or undeserving. In athletes, this might manifest as an internal belief that their achievements are due to luck, not skill, or that their physical appearance doesn't align with the perceived "image" of a successful athlete. A survey by Executive Development Network found that 54% of women have experienced imposter syndrome, 38% of men and 57% of those who identify as non-binary.
How do the two relate?
BDD and Imposter Syndrome both involve distorted self-perception and reliance on external validation.
Physical and Performance Standards: Athletes with BDD may believe their perceived flaws disqualify them from success. Imposter Syndrome reinforces the
belief that they aren't deserving of their accomplishments, despite evidence to the contrary.
Self-Worth and Appearance: Athletes with BDD might feel their value is tied solely to their appearance. Imposter Syndrome exacerbates feelings of inadequacy, making them question their place in the sport.
Cycle of Anxiety: Doubts about their appearance (BDD) feed into doubts about their abilities (Imposter Syndrome), creating a feedback loop that affects performance and mental well-being.
What are the types of BDD?
General BDD: Obsession with perceived flaws such as skin texture, facial features, or body proportions.
Muscle Dysmorphia (Bigorexia): A specific subtype where individuals believe their body is not muscular or lean enough, even if they are highly fit.
Camouflaging Behaviors: Attempting to hide perceived flaws through makeup, clothing, or accessories.
Mirror-Checking or Avoidance: Spending excessive time in front of mirrors or avoiding them altogether due to appearance-related anxiety.
Does BDD affect all athletes?
Yes! BDD affects both male and female athletes, although the focus of their concerns often differs. However, it is important to note that BDD is not limited to cisgender individuals and can manifest differently across diverse gender identities.
Male Athletes:
Male athletes are more likely to experience muscle dysmorphia, particularly in sports that emphasize strength, such as bodybuilding and football. They often have concerns about their body size, hair loss, or a perceived lack of masculinity.
Female Athletes:
Female athletes are more likely to focus on issues such as weight, skin appearance, or body symmetry. They face a heightened risk of developing body image concerns in sports that emphasize aesthetics or leanness, such as gymnastics and figure skating.
Trans and Non-Binary Athletes:
For trans men and trans women, the pressure to conform to hyper-gendered body ideals can intensify BDD. The expectation to “pass” as male or female in public often exacerbates preoccupations with physical features that may feel incongruent with their gender identity.
Non-binary and genderqueer athletes may experience societal expectations to present androgynously, facing additional challenges if their appearance is perceived as too masculine or feminine. This can lead to feelings of invalidation and heightened body image distress.
Why is BDD not commonly talked about in sport?
Normalization of Behavior: Overtraining, strict dieting, and appearance focus are often seen as discipline, masking underlying mental health struggles.
Stigma: Mental health issues in sports, particularly among male athletes, are often viewed as a sign of weakness.
Lack of Awareness: Many athletes, coaches, and sports organizations lack education about BDD and its symptoms.
Focus on Performance: The emphasis on performance overshadows concerns about mental well-being or unhealthy behaviors.
Cultural Expectations: The glorification of specific body types in sports and media discourages open conversations about the negative effects of striving for such ideals.
What can be done to help?
For Athletes:
Seek Professional Support: Work with mental health professionals specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for BDD. Consider medication (e.g., SSRIs) if recommended by a psychiatrist.
Educate Yourself: Understand the unrealistic standards perpetuated by sports and media to help reframe self-perception.
Set Balanced Goals: Focus on skill, endurance, and mental resilience rather than solely appearance.
For Coaches and Teams:
Promote Open Dialogue: Create a safe environment for athletes to discuss mental health without fear of stigma or judgment.
De-emphasize appearance: Focus on performance and well-being rather than physical standards.
Recognize Warning Signs: Be aware of behaviors like excessive grooming, extreme dieting, or withdrawal from social activities.
For Sports Organizations:
Raise Awareness: Incorporate education about BDD and Imposter Syndrome into athlete training programs.
Provide Resources: Offer access to mental health professionals and support groups.
Challenge Unrealistic Ideals: Advocate for diverse body representations in sports and media to reduce pressure on athletes.
By addressing BDD and its connection to Imposter Syndrome, athletes can be better supported in achieving not just physical and performance goals, but also mental health and self-acceptance.
Elle Mace is the founder and owner of Elle Mace Coaching and the creator of the ‘More to Life’ Podcast, ‘Beyond the Scale’ Project, and ‘Elle Evate’. As an eating disorder practitioner, Elle works with individuals to provide positive psychology techniques and address under-addressed topics such as imposter syndrome, BDD, and Red-S, and confidence both inside and outside of sport. With over 17 years of experience in eating disorders and nutrition, while working with Olympic athletes Ellie Boatman and Sophia Ellis, Elle brings the expertise of mind-body connection to students, athletes, and professionals.
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