Test Result
Moderate Concern
“You are carrying a heavy backpack of appearance anxiety—while you are still functioning, worry about your flaws is causing unnecessary friction in your daily life.”
Your overall pattern
Your scores fall into the Moderate Concern range. This suggests that you are experiencing "Heightened Appearance Anxiety." You are likely functioning in your daily life—going to work, seeing friends—but there is a constant background noise of worry about how you look. You may feel that if you could just fix one specific thing (your skin, nose, hair, or weight), you would finally feel "good enough."
This pattern means you are spending a significant amount of mental energy managing your image, which can leave you feeling drained or insecure in social situations.
"Your body is the least interesting thing about you. Your kindness, your ideas, and your spirit are what truly take up space in the room."
Typical behaviors
- The "Zoom-In" Effect: You often fixate on one specific area and struggle to unsee it, believing others notice it instantly.
- Checking Habits: You might find yourself checking mirrors more often than necessary, or strictly avoiding them to prevent a mood crash.
- Camouflaging: You likely use clothes, makeup, or posture specifically to hide the part of yourself you dislike.
Strengths in this pattern
- High Standards: You likely have a keen eye for detail and aesthetics, which can be a talent when applied to art, design, or work—just not when applied to yourself.
- Sensitivity: People with this profile are often highly empathetic and sensitive to how others feel, making you a considerate friend.
Common pitfalls
The trap of "If only..."
- The Moving Goalpost: You might believe that fixing the flaw will fix your anxiety. Usually, when one "flaw" is fixed, the anxiety simply shifts to a new target.
- Validation Seeking: You may rely on others to tell you "you look fine," but you rarely believe them for long.
"Reflection point: If I woke up tomorrow and that 'flaw' was gone, what internal feelings would still be there?"
What you can do next
Small actions you can start today
- The Mirror Fast: Try to reduce mirror checking. Cover one mirror in your house for a week to break the habit loop.
- Shift the Focus: When you catch yourself ruminating, physically move your body or engage in a complex mental task to break the circuit.
Longer-term directions
- Broaden Identity: Invest time in things unrelated to looks—learning a skill, volunteering, or creative writing. Remind yourself that you are multifaceted.
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This test describes patterns of appearance anxiety. It is not a medical diagnosis. However, being in the moderate range suggests you are at risk. If these feelings begin to prevent you from leaving the house or cause depression, please speak with a therapist specializing in BDD or anxiety.