HealthJuly 16, 2026
dysmorphia
/dɪsˈmɔːr.fi.ə/
Definition
A psychological condition characterized by an intense and obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws or defects in one's physical appearance.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek 'dys-' (bad or difficult) and 'morphe' (form or shape). It entered modern clinical language to describe a distorted perception of one's own physical body.
In the news
In the article, dysmorphia is cited as a potential mental health consequence of 'looksmaxxing' culture, where excessive focus on physical ideals leads teens to fixate on imagined physical inadequacies.
Looksmaxxing: What It Is and Why It Can Be Harmful
Read the full article ↗Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials