In this deeply insightful first episode of Perception & Beyond, Suman Agarwal and Bhakti Joshi open up the conversation around Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) — a misunderstood mental health condition that affects millions.

Together, they explore what BDD truly is, how it manifests in everyday life, the impact of societal pressures and media, and how individuals can recognize, manage, and begin healing from it.

A must-watch for anyone interested in mental wellness, self-image, and emotional growth.

Timecodes:

0:00 – Introduction1:49 – What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?

3:46 – How is BDD different from OCD?

5:22 – How does BDD manifest in daily life?

8:05 – The connection between self-image and BDD

11:30 – How does family conditioning and judgmental comments contribute to BDD?

13:44 – The link between appearance anxiety and BDD

15:57 – The cycle of repetitive reassurance

17:10 – Does BDD focus on the face, head, or the entire body?

18:40 – Celebrities who have suffered from BDD

22:00 – Karan Johar’s experience with BDD24:55 – Is the cosmetic industry thriving on people’s insecurities?

26:45 – The illusion of a “perfect life” on social media

31:49 – How to identify symptoms of BDD and what to do about it

37:04 – The importance of open communication with family

43:16 – The emotional impact of BDD and how emotions play a role

45:25 – Self-help practices for managing BDD

47:04 – The role of sensitivity in communication

51:32 – Can BDD be cured?

56:56 – Why self-medication is not the right approach

58:33 – The role of mental health experts and image consultants in overcoming BDD

1:02:49 – The psychological and emotional consequences of BDD

1:06:05 – Social media affects all age groups

1:09:12 – How image consultants and mental health experts can work together

1:10:18 – Breaking the mirror: A symbolic step towards healing

1:10:53 – BDD is not about vanity

1:14:03 – Outro🎙 Meet Your Hosts:

Suman Agarwal Co-founder & Director – Image Consulting Business Institute Image Management Authority & Mentor Pioneered Image Consulting in India Most Senior Image Consultant in The Indian Subcontinent🌐 www.imageconsultinginstitute.com

Bhakti Joshi, M.A.Counselling Psychologist & Trauma-Focused Therapist (EMDR, ACT)Founder – ASHA Mental Health Services📍For consultations at Samarpan Health:

Mental Health Counselling & Wellness Center, Mumbai📞 Contact: 9136032440 | 8104662136

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