These 14 powerful photos show what it’s like to live with body dysmorphia

pulse

November 8, 2018 6:22 PM

A new exhibition in London showcases striking images which help demonstrate what it's like to suffer from body dysmorphic disorder.

Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition which sees someone obsessing over perceived flaws which are often unnoticeable to anyone else.

Sufferers of BDD often feel anxious about their looks, can't stop comparing their appearance to others, and go to great lengths to conceal their supposed flaws, according to the NHS.

While some people mistakenly believe those suffering from BDD are simply vain, this isn't the case at all — body dysmorphia can be extremely distressing and can also result in developing other serious conditions, such as depression.

A new exhibition in London, called "Identity," aims to showcase what it's like to live with BDD.

Here are some of the most powerful photos.

The "Identity" exhibition will open at the Zebra One Gallery in Hampstead, north London on November 24.

The gallery challenged 10 artists to explore body dysmorphia and self-image.

The exhibition features never-before-seen images of Lady Gaga, who suffered from BDD in her teens.

The photos of Lady Gaga were taken by Derrick Santini just before the singer skyrocketed to global fame in 2009.

Meltem Isik's collection of nude portraits also feature in the exhibition.

The photographs show people holding giant images of various body parts against themselves.

They're designed to be powerful explorations of body image and self-awareness.

The portraits demonstrate that we all have body parts we're more self-conscious about.

Photographers Bruno Metra and Laurence Jeanson — collectively known as Metra-Jeanson — are also exhibiting their work.

The duo cut out heavily stylised facial features from adverts and taped them over models' faces.

They hope their work highlights the difference between edited and real appearance, and its impact on body image.

Their work has been described as "witty and dark."

Other artists in the exhibition include Daniel Martin, Bartosz Beda, James Green, Leigh de Vries, Mason Storm, and Scarlet Isherwood.

The exhibition will be open to the public until December 9, and a percentage of the money made will go to The BDD Foundation.

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