New study reveals those wanting nose jobs could be mentally ill

Wanting to change part of your body is something that most people go through at some point in their lives.

Wanting a smaller bum, thinner arms, less lines around the eyes - these are requests that fall from our mouths most days when we look in the mirror.

A new study from Belgium suggests that the desire to change your nose could possibly mean that you are mentally ill.

It showed that one in three people who seek a nose job have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is a psychiatric condition which is brough on by excessive want and concern to change your appearance.

"This study shows that the prevalence of BDD symptoms in a cosmetic rhinoplasty population is high and that the severity of symptoms has a clearly negative effect on daily functioning," the study's authors say.

The study involves 226 patients aged 16 and over who came to doctors seeking a nose operation. Of patients who were seeking the procedure to correct breathing problems, only 2 per cent showed symptoms of BDD. But those who wanted the rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, 43 per cent showed symptoms of the disorder.

A plastic surgeon from Seattle told the New York Times that it is a big mistake operating on someone with the disorder, because no matter what the results they are unlikely to be happy with them.

Body dysmorphic disorder affects one-two per cent of the population and is more common in women than in men.

Femalefirst Taryn Davies