Center for Anxiety, OCD, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Overcome Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Body Image Concerns with Specialized Therapy in Philadelphia and Beyond
Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in Philadelphia
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a distressing mental health condition characterized by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in one’s appearance, often invisible or minor to others. This condition can involve a fixation on flaws in any part of the body, though concerns are commonly focused on the skin, hair, nose, teeth, or facial shape and symmetry. Individuals might also focus obsessively on other aspects like marks on the body or fear of insufficiently developed muscles (muscle dysmorphia) or excessive breast gland tissue in males (known as gynecomastia).
BDD can lead to significant emotional distress and interference in daily functioning due to time-consuming rituals like mirror checking, excessive grooming, and seeking reassurance.
The Impact of BDD on Daily Life
For those living with BDD, everyday activities can become overwhelming. Concerns about appearance may lead to avoidance of social situations, academic struggles, and workplace difficulties. BDD often begins in the teen years and can lead to symptoms severe enough to prompt withdrawal from school or social interactions. Without treatment, BDD can lead to social isolation, unemployment, and serious negative effects on mental health, including increased rates of depression and suicidal thoughts and reduced quality of life.
Identifying BDD: Key Features and Common Concerns
Preoccupation with appearance:
Individuals with BDD may fixate on one or several body parts, with common areas of concern including facial features, hair, skin, teeth, and body muscles. This preoccupation often extends beyond mere dissatisfaction, dominating the person’s self-image.
Repetitive behaviors:
Those with BDD engage in repetitive behaviors aimed at fixing, hiding, or checking their perceived flaws. These include:
- Constantly checking mirrors
- Touching, checking or measuring body parts frequently
- Excessively grooming
- Comparing one’s appearance to that of others
- Mentally reviewing how one’s appearance was perceived in past social interactions
- Repeatedly seeking reassurance about one’s appearance from others
Avoidance behaviors:
To avoid experiencing appearance concerns or showing perceived flaws, individuals with BDD may steer clear of situations where their bodies are exposed or scrutinized. This avoidance can include:
- Shying away from social gatherings
- Avoiding public areas where scrutiny is possible
- Eschewing close physical contact (like hugs, dancing, talking closely), sexual intimacy, or physical activities
- Dodging opportunities to be photographed or seen without clothing
Significant distress or impairment:
The intense preoccupation and the associated behaviors significantly impair social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Individuals may find themselves unable to participate in daily activities or maintain relationships due to their overwhelming concerns with appearance. Additionally, this constant worry and the behaviors based on it often adversely affect their mood and quality of life.
Specialized Treatments for BDD in Philadelphia
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) focuses on understanding the thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate the disorder, and teaching skills to manage and change these patterns. Techniques often include exposure and response prevention, which helps patients gradually confront avoided and change their thoughts and feelings around feared situations and reduce compulsive behaviors that disrupt daily life.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): As a close relative of CBT, ACT helps patients develop a non-judgmental awareness of and ability not to be as caught up with their thoughts and feelings about perceived flaws. This approach encourages living in alignment with personal values, rather than being controlled by distressing thoughts and emotions.
- Additional therapies: We sometimes also incorporate strategies like compassion-focused therapies, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) as alternatives or supplements to CBT and ACT, offering comprehensive support for individuals with BDD. These therapeutic modalities can enhance clients’ ability to stay grounded in the present moment and cultivate skills that reduce their entanglement in image concerns and feelings, enabling them to take actions consistent with their core values.
- Medication management: Medications like SSRIs and clomipramine, commonly used for OCD and anxiety, can also alleviate symptoms of BDD. While our center does not prescribe medication, we collaborate with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners who can manage these medication treatments.
- Holistic treatment: Considering BDD’s extensive impact and its frequent co-occurrence with other disorders like social anxiety, OCD, and depression, our treatment plans are comprehensive. In general, we aim to address all facets of mental health to ensure an effective and thorough approach to recovery.
The Role of Insight in BDD
Insight varies in BDD, with many individuals recognizing their beliefs about defects might be untrue. Treatment can help improve insight, which is important for recovery.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Treatment for Children and Teens
Treating body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in children and teens necessitates a sensitive and age-appropriate approach, attuned to their unique developmental needs. At our Philadelphia-based Center for Anxiety, OCD, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we create personalized treatment plans that actively involve family members, setting a foundation for supportive and constructive interactions. Our treatments for younger individuals with BDD incorporate cognitive-behavioral techniques that are specifically tailored to help them understand their preoccupations with appearance, develop effective coping strategies, and build resilience against the distress caused by their concerns.
For more information, please visit our page on services and tools for families of children, teens, and young adults with anxiety, OCD, and related issues.
Supporting Families and Individuals Affected by BDD
Body Dysmorphic Disorder can significantly affect not only the individual but also their family and social relationships. Understanding the pervasive impact of BDD is crucial for families to effectively support their loved one. Our Center provides comprehensive resources and support to families dealing with BDD, enhancing their ability to create a nurturing environment that promotes recovery and personal growth. By educating families about BDD and its effects, we facilitate a deeper understanding and better equipped family members to contribute positively to the treatment process.
Support Beyond Individual Therapy
- Support Groups: Dr. Eva Fisher facilitates a BDD recovery online support group that meets twice a month. This group provides peer support with info accessible via the International OCD Foundation’s website: BDD recovery online support group.
- Family Involvement: Involving families in the treatment process is often beneficial, especially for children and adolescents with BDD. Engaging family members can help create a supportive environment and establish routines and supports that complement therapeutic interventions.
Comprehensive BDD Treatment at Our Philadelphia Center
At our Center for Anxiety, OCD, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we understand the unique challenges faced by those with BDD. Our tailored approach includes:
- Individualized treatment plans: Developed to address the specific needs and symptoms of each client.
- Integrated care: We are happy to coordinate with psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, and other medical professionals when necessary to provide a holistic treatment approach.
Take the First Step: Contact Us Today
If you or someone you know is struggling with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, our team of specialists is here to help. Contact us to learn more about our services or to schedule an initial consultation.
Start Your Journey to Overcoming Body Dysmorphic Disorder
and Body Image Concerns
At the Philadelphia Center for Anxiety, OCD, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we are dedicated to empowering individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder and other obsessive body image concerns through proven, personalized treatment plans. By leveraging the most effective CBT strategies and supplementing with alternative therapies as needed, we guide our clients toward a life of greater confidence and fulfillment. Located in Philadelphia, our Center is easily accessible to residents in Cherry Hill, Ardmore, the Main Line, Chestnut Hill, King of Prussia, and beyond, and is accessible to residents of PA, NJ and other states by telehealth.
If you or someone you know is struggling with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, our team of specialists is here to help. Contact us to learn more about our services or to schedule an initial consultation.
Learn More About BDD and Discover Helpful Resources
- Explore Our BDD Resources: Dive into our curated list of BDD and CBT resources, including websites, informative books, quizzes, and helpful treatment forms.
- Support for youth with BDD: Visit our blog article for tips on how parents and caregivers can provide supportive statements to youth with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. These strategies help validate and support their feelings while fostering coping and bravery.
- Discover more on out blog: For additional insights into BDD and related topics, check out our extensive blog articles.
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Explore Related Conditions
Understanding your condition is the first step towards recovery. Discover more about related disorders (anxiety, OCD, phobias, trichotillomania, PTSD, and more) and how our specialized treatments can help.
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Proud member of:
Our practice is honored to serve as the Philadelphia regional clinic and proud to be a board member of the National Social Anxiety Center (NSAC). NSAC is committed to offering the highest quality, evidence-based anxiety therapy services for social anxiety and related conditions to those in need. We actively contribute to this mission through research, collaboration, dissemination to clinicians, and public education. For more information, please visit NSAC here.
