Body Dysmorphic Disorder

BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER (BDD)

Body Dysmorphia shares a number of qualities with OCD. Both include obsessions and compulsions. What’s more, the go-to treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder and OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

People with BDD experience overwhelming negative thoughts about parts of their bodies. As a result, they feel a lot of anxiety, which they try to get rid of through compulsions. This can include a number of actions such as mirror checking or avoidance, reassurance seeking, skin picking and camouflaging the perceived flaw.

Given the world we live in, it’s safe to say that most people are dissatisfied with some part of their appearance. The difference for those with BDD is they have an intense preoccupation with perceived defects that are nonexistent or slight. Unlike average body concerns, BDD results in high levels of distress and impairment.

TREATMENT FOR BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER (BDD)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder can be very challenging, but there is hope for those who suffer. Research has found that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for BDD. Initially, CBT involves educating individuals with BDD about the nature of their disorder. After this, they learn to evaluate their thoughts more rationally through a process known as cognitive restructuring. In addition to this, treatment includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which involves doing the things that cause anxiety without engaging in compulsive behaviors. Through this process, those with BDD learn how to navigate their anxiety in ways that do not disrupt their lives. CBT for BDD also includes Mirror Retraining, which is an exercise aimed at helping people improve their relationship with mirrors. In the exercise, people with the disorder learn to describe their bodies in an objective way.