"Having BDD/body dysmorphia is like being allergic to your own image. And the "allergic reaction" is depression and anxiety. You see yourself in the mirror, or you imagine yourself in your head, and your mind goes into meltdown. I think describing it like that lets people know how automatic it is. At my worst, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and my eyes start blacking out, like when you look at the sun. It is absolutely horrible."