I CAN'T FACE MYSELF; Torment of a Young Man Who Won't Even Look at Himself in Mirror Family Fear Long Wait for NHS Treatment of His Chronic Psychiatric Disorder May Have Tragic Consequences

Beginning of article

Byline: By Lindsay Clydesdale

A DAM WALKER lives in a house without mirrors. Anything that could reflect his image is I covered or removed.

You might think Adam has a terrible skin condition or deformity which makes it painful to look at his face.

In some ways, what he suffers from is worse. He has body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and hates his appearance so much, he is suicidal.

The fact that he's tall, dark and good looking, with a shy smile and friendly nature, doesn't make any difference.

He looks in the mirror and sees something else.

Adam is not his real name and he could not bear to be photographed for this article or be identified. Outside of his immediate family and girlfriend, no one even knows he's unwell.

But it's taken a toll on his life and he no longer works or sees his friends. His family care for him full-time and know it can be dangerous to leave him alone.

"We are devastated that this illness has left him in such despair," said Adam's sister. "I love my brother so much I could not bear to lose him."

Adam, 24, hates his nose. Although he's always been slightly unhappy with his …