NEW YORK—Calling it an everyday struggle for millions of young dudes, a new report released Friday by researchers at New York University found that those suffering from buddy dysmorphia experience a skewed, deeply negative perception of the shapes of their friends. “It doesn’t matter if I’m at home, at the gym, or at a bar—every time I look at my buddy I’m disgusted,” said Mike Oscoff, 19, a study participant who said he was ashamed to admit it, but half the time, he wished he could just keep his embarrassing buddy covered up. “I mean, we live in a society that constantly tells us our buddies aren’t good enough. After living your whole life with buddy-shame issues, it’s no wonder some of us just sit home alone.” Oscoff added that he’d like to be proud of his buddy because, after all, he only has one.

Advertisement