by Rose Stiedemann
Published 2 years ago
Updated 2 years ago
Medication
Treatment. Treatment for body dysmorphic disorder often includes a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder focuses on: Helping you learn how negative thoughts, emotional reactions and behaviors maintain problems over time
Therapy
CBT has been shown to be helpful in treating BDD symptoms both in individual therapy or group therapy, and is the only type of psychological treatment for BDD that is supported by research. CBT focuses on the thoughts (i.e., cognitions) and repetitive behaviors triggered by BDD, such as the excessive attention BDD patients give to specific ...
Self-care
NHS Services. In the UK you have a right to access treatment for BDD via the National Health Service (NHS). Read More.
Where do I go to get diagnosed with BDD?
A healthcare provider will ask about personal and family medical history and do a physical exam. If the provider suspects body dysmorphic disorder, they may refer the person to a psychiatrist or psychologist. These mental health professionals evaluate the person's attitude, behavior and symptoms.Oct 14, 2020
What is the best treatment for body dysmorphia?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective talk therapy. In CBT, you work with a mental health professional to replace negative thoughts and thought patterns with positive thoughts. Antidepressant medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors usually work best for BDD.
Who can help with BDD?
Getting help for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
You may be treated by the GP, or they may refer you to a mental health specialist for further assessment and treatment. It can be very difficult to seek help for BDD, but it's important to remember that you have nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about.
How serious is body dysmorphic disorder?
If left untreated or unaddressed, Body Dysmorphic Disorder can lead to serious consequences, including suicidal ideations and attempts, increased anxiety and depression, and eating disorders. Body dysmorphic disorder can cause a severe impairment in overall quality of life, making daily activities difficult.
What are the five signs & symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder?
The most common features people tend to fixate about include:
Face, such as nose, complexion, wrinkles, acne and other blemishes.
Hair, such as appearance, thinning and baldness.
Skin and vein appearance.
Breast size.
Muscle size and tone.
Genitalia.
Mar 19, 2022
Can body dysmorphia inherited?
Genetics. Some evidence suggests that BDD is more common in people whose family members also have BDD. But it's difficult to know whether symptoms – such as believing that you are disfigured or frequent mirror checking – are inherited from your parents' genes or picked up from their behaviour.
How does body dysmorphia affect the brain?
Now researchers at UCLA have determined that the brains of people with BDD have abnormalities in processing visual input, particularly when examining their own face. Further, they found that the same systems of the brain are overactive in both BDD and obsessive-compulsive disorder, suggesting a link between the two.Feb 2, 2010
Can you diagnose yourself with body dysmorphia?
You cannot self-diagnose body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). It is a diagnosis that can be made only by a mental health professional—psychiatrist or psychologist.Nov 10, 2020
