I’ve written about my BDD and inevitably get comments like this. First, of all, everyone does act like looks matter, so it comes off as insincere when people say this to make you feel better. And as you point out, we can’t help it. We can’t turn off the part of our brain that tells us we’re hideous. It always makes me feel worse when people swoop in with what my brain tells me are fake compliments.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope it helps other people understand what BDD is and how serious it is.