Experts Say Zoom Meetings Might Be Causing Serious Psychological Issues

It's called 'Body Dysmorphic Disorder' or BDD. According to the BDD Foundation, it's defined as "a disabling preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in appearance."

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According to an article on ctpost.com, several psychological experts are claiming that Zoom meetings exacerbate BDD. Many people with this disorder focus on a specific perceived flaw in their physical appearance, according to psychologist Sherry Pagoto.

Imagine this scenario; you absolutely hate the shape of your nose and there you are with the other five members of your team participating in an hour-long corporate Zoom meeting where they will be staring at you. You can't focus and you can't catch your breath because all you can think of during the meeting is that they're looking at what you think is the ugliest nose in the world.

BDD is diagnosed when looking at your nose in the mirror becomes an obsession and interferes with your daily life, and that Zoom meeting only makes it worse.

Keep this in mind; a Zoom meeting doesn't offer the most flattering image of yourself, which adds to your anxiety. A video-conferencing tool like Zoom is not the cause of body dysmorphic disorder; it just worsens the disorder and it is a recognized clinical condition.

If BDD is getting in the way of your everyday life, I recommend you take a look at the International OCD Foundation website. In most cases, your therapist will recommend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) along with a medication called a serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SRI. You also might want to stay away from mirrors and Zoom meetings.