Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Our clinicians provide expert treatment for BDD.
What is BDD?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health disorder in which people spend an excessive amount of time worrying about one or more perceived flaws in their appearance. In response to this worry, people experiencing BDD may think about these aspects of their appearance for hours each day, avoid social situations, or spend a lot of time trying to fix or “camouflage” their perceived physical flaws.
Other symptoms of BDD can include:
- Excessively checking appearance in mirrors or other reflective surfaces
- Comparing body parts to those of others or scrutinizing the appearance of others
- Spending a lot of time and/or money on beauty products or cosmetic procedures
- Engaging in unhealthy behaviors to change appearance, such as excessive exercise or skin picking
- Having low self-esteem and feeling depressed or severely anxious about appearance
Evidence-based Treatments for BDD
Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for BDD. CBT offers people experiencing BDD a set of cognitive and behavioral skills to address challenging thoughts and feelings, reduce avoidance behaviors, and identify alternative coping strategies to compulsive behaviors like checking or comparing.
At The Reeds Center, we use the latest CBT protocol for BDD, often augmented with acceptance-based interventions from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as emotion and distress regulation techniques found in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Treatment takes place both in and out of sessions with the therapist– in treatment sessions, people experiencing BDD work with their clinician to learn and practice new techniques and skills. Between sessions, people continue to practice skills on their own. Reeds clinicians are all extensively trained in the CBT techniques recommended for BDD treatment.
We Offer Online and In-Person Sessions to Treat BDD
Request an appointment to learn more about how we can help you with BDD
FAQs
Medications can often be helpful in combination with CBT treatment. Medications can help tone down distress associated with BDD and improve mood, making it more likely a person with BDD will get their best outcome from the CBT treatment. SSRI (Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) medications are typically prescribed for people with BDD.
The key difference between an eating disorder and BDD is that people experiencing an eating disorder are worried about their body’s generalized shape and weight, whereas people with BDD tend to be focused on a specific area of concern.
Also, people with an eating disorder engage in disordered eating, such as restricting, binging, or purging. Some people experience both BDD and an eating disorder, and careful assessment with a clinician can help people determine the diagnoses and treatments that fits their needs and symptoms best.
Medications can often be helpful in combination with CBT treatment. Medications can help tone down distress associated with BDD and improve mood, making it more likely a person with BDD will get their best outcome from the CBT treatment. SSRI (Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) medications are typically prescribed for people with BDD.
The key difference between an eating disorder and BDD is that people experiencing an eating disorder are worried about their body’s generalized shape and weight, whereas people with BDD tend to be focused on a specific area of concern.
Also, people with an eating disorder engage in disordered eating, such as restricting, binging, or purging. Some people experience both BDD and an eating disorder, and careful assessment with a clinician can help people determine the diagnoses and treatments that fits their needs and symptoms best.
CBT for BDD is a time-limited, skills-based therapy. The objectives of treatment are not only to reduce symptoms and support people with BDD in living a meaningful life, but also to attain knowledge and skills needed to maintain gains without a therapist.
In treatment sessions, people experiencing BDD will learn and practice new techniques and skills with the therapist, and then continue this practice outside of session on their own. How quickly people may feel better in treatment often depends a lot on how much time they are able to devote to this practice between sessions.
Another factor that impacts the duration of treatment is how intensively people are getting the therapy. Research has shown that symptom reduction is most rapid when sessions occur from two to five times per week. But again, the more someone is invested in practicing between sessions, the better and quicker the results.
CBT for BDD is a time-limited, skills-based therapy. The objectives of treatment are not only to reduce symptoms and support people with BDD in living a meaningful life, but also to attain knowledge and skills needed to maintain gains without a therapist.
In treatment sessions, people experiencing BDD will learn and practice new techniques and skills with the therapist, and then continue this practice outside of session on their own. How quickly people may feel better in treatment often depends a lot on how much time they are able to devote to this practice between sessions.
Another factor that impacts the duration of treatment is how intensively people are getting the therapy. Research has shown that symptom reduction is most rapid when sessions occur from two to five times per week. But again, the more someone is invested in practicing between sessions, the better and quicker the results.
What is Illness Anxiety?
Illness Anxiety Disorder, previously known as Hypochondriasis, is a mental health condition characterized by excessive worry and fear about having a serious medical condition. Individuals with Illness Anxiety Disorder often have a preoccupation with their health and a tendency to interpret normal bodily sensations as signs of severe illness and often excessively seek reassurance or have frequent doctors visits.
This preoccupation can lead to persistent distress and impairment in daily functioning. It’s important to note that the fears and worries associated with Illness Anxiety Disorder are not intentionally feigned or exaggerated. People with this condition genuinely believe they have a serious illness and experience significant distress due to their health concerns.
When working with people with Illness Anxiety Disorder, clinicians at Reeds use CBT and other mindfulness-based approaches to help individuals challenge distorted beliefs that are getting in the way, reduce behaviors like seeking reassurance, and develop new coping strategies.
What Our Clients Say
