Many eagerly anticipate the warmth and leisure of summer, but individuals struggling with body image issues and body dysmorphia disorder (BDD) often approach the season with dread, bracing for the increased exposure and heightened scrutiny that comes with it. BDD is a common mental health condition characterized by an overwhelming fixation on perceived flaws or minor imperfections in one’s physical appearance, often leading to distress. While some might believe that BDD is rooted in vanity or self-absorption, it is a real disorder and can significantly disrupt one’s daily life, affecting from 1.7 percent to 2.4 percent of people worldwide. The seasonal shift of the summer intensifies anxieties about appearance, weight, and body size, amplifying fears of judgment and struggles against societal pressures that continue to shape our perceptions of body image. Individuals with BDD often fixate on perceived flaws in their skin, nose, hair, and other small features. “If I feel like I’ve gained a bit of weight, I become obsessed and hyper-focus on my calorie intake,” Adel Arafa*, a 29-year-old man, told Egyptian Streets. “I am not sure if this is body dysmorphia disorder or an eating disorder, but…
