Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) – Symptoms and Treatment

The primary distinguishing feature of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is an obsessive preoccupation with a perceived defect in one’s physical appearance. BDD obsessions may manifest as excessive, disproportionate concerns about a minor flaw, or as recurrent, anxiety-provoking thoughts about an entirely imagined defect. BDD obsessions are most frequently focused on the head and face, but may involve any body part. BDD goes beyond normal concern with one’s appearance, and may significantly impair academic and professional functioning, as well as interpersonal relationships. In extreme cases, an individual with BDD may completely shun any contact with people in an effort to avoid having the defect being observed by others.

Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder vary widely from person to person. Some examples of common obsessions seen in Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) are:

• Moles and freckles being too large or noticeable
• Acne
• Minor scars or skin aberrations
• Too much facial or body hair
• Too little hair on head
• Size and/or shape of genitalia
• Breast size
• Muscles being too small (also known as Muscle Dysmorphia or “Bigorexia”)
• Overall size, shape and/or symmetry of the face or another body part

Some common examples of compulsions seen in Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) include:

• Repetitive checking of a minor or imagined flaw in mirrors
• Avoidance of mirrors
• Avoidance of having picture taken
• Repetitive grooming activities such as shaving, combing hair, etc.
• Repetitive checking, touching and/or measuring of a minor or imagined defect
• Wearing excessive make-up to camouflage a minor or imagined flaw
• Wearing certain clothes to camouflage a minor or imagined defect
• Multiple medical visits, especially to dermatologists
• Multiple medical procedures in an effort to eradicate a minor or imagined flaw

As demonstrated above, BDD has obsessive-compulsive features that are quite similar to those of OCD. In fact, one recent study found that 24% of those with BDD also had OCD. Perhaps the most significant similarity linking BDD and OCD is the cyclical process by which the symptoms of both increase. In this process, called the Obsessive-Compulsive Cycle, the compulsive and avoidant behaviors that individuals employ in an effort to reduce their anxiety actually reinforce and worsen their obsessions. To learn more about this process, click here.

Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Because of these many similarities, the same Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques that are so effective in treating OCD are also employed in BDD treatment. In fact, four recent studies have found significant reductions in symptoms using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of BDD. The primary technique used in both OCD and BDD treatment is a type of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy called “Exposure and Response Prevention” (ERP). Another CBT technique that is extremely valuable is called “Cognitive Restructuring”, in which clients learn to challenge the validity of their distorted body-related thoughts.

Additionally, a variant of ERP has been developed that has also been found to be extremely effective for the treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). This method, called imaginal exposure, involves writing short stories based on the client’s BDD obsessions. These stories are then used as ERP tools, allowing the client to experience exposure to feared situations that cannot be experienced through traditional ERP (e.g., having a large scar, being bald). When combined with standard ERP for the above-noted compulsions, and other CBT techniques such as Cognitive Restructuring, imaginal exposure can greatly reduce the frequency and magnitude of intrusive BDD obsessions, as well as the individual’s sensitivity to the thoughts and mental images experienced in Body Dysmorphic Disorder.  To learn more about imaginal exposure, click here.

One of the most effective CBT developments for the treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. The primary goal of Mindfulness-Based CBT is to learn to non-judgmentally accept uncomfortable psychological experiences. From a mindfulness perspective, much of our psychological distress is the result of trying to control and eliminate the discomfort of unwanted thoughts, feelings, sensations, and urges. In other words, our discomfort is not the problem – our attempt to control and eliminate our discomfort is the problem. For an individual with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, the ultimate goal of mindfulness is to develop the ability to more willingly experience their uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, sensations, and urges, without responding with compulsions, avoidance behaviors, reassurance seeking, and/or mental rituals.  To learn more about Mindfulness Based CBT for the treatment of BDD, click here.

Using these tools, clients learn to challenge their body image issues, as well as the compulsive and avoidant behaviors they use to cope with their body-related anxiety. If you would like to learn more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and related anxiety-based conditions, click here.

Individual Therapy for the Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

The OCD Center of Los Angeles offers individual therapy for the treatment for adults, children, and adolescents with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), with a strong emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We have 14 therapists on staff, and our offices are open six days a week, including evenings and Saturdays. If you would like to discuss treatment options at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, you can call us at (310) 824-5200 (ext. 4), or click here to email us.

Low-Fee Group Therapy for the Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

In addition to providing individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the OCD Center of Los Angeles also offers five weekly, low-fee therapy / support groups for adults with OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and related conditions. Research has shown that group CBT is extremely effective in the treatment of OCD and related conditions, including Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). All groups at the OCD Center of Los Angeles are led by our professional staff therapists, and use the same CBT treatment protocol as our individual therapy program.  Please note that all of our groups require an assessment prior to participation, and are open only to adults over the age of 18 with OCD, BDD, and related anxiety based conditions. To learn more about our weekly low-fee groups for adults, click here.

Telephone and Online Therapy for the Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

The OCD Center of Los Angeles also offers webcam-based online therapy and telephone therapy to clients around the world suffering with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Telephone and online therapy are cost-effective options for clients who have physical and/or psychological limitations that restrict their ability to come to our office, and for those in remote areas who cannot find specialized Body Dysmorphic Disorder treatment close to their home. Telephone and internet therapy have repeatedly been found to be safe and effective in numerous research studies, and have been legal in California since 1997. If you would like to learn more about our telephone and online therapy program for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), please click here.

Intensive BDD Treatment

We also offer intensive BDD treatment for adults, adolescents, and children. This program is designed to meet the needs of those for whom standard outpatient BDD treatment is either unavailable or insufficient. Our intensive outpatient program is ideal for clients from other states or countries who cannot find effective BDD treatment near to their homes, and for those whose symptoms require a more rigorous treatment protocol. To learn more about our intensive outpatient treatment for BDD, click here.

About the OCD Center of Los Angeles

The OCD Center of Los Angeles is a private outpatient treatment center specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of OCD and related conditions, including BDD. We have 13 therapists on staff, all of whom are either licensed or registered, and all of whom specialize in CBT.  We treat adults, adolescents, and children, and offer services six days a week, including evenings and Saturdays.

Our Southern California office is located in Brentwood.

If you are experiencing any of the above Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) symptoms, and would like to discuss treatment options at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, you can call us at (310) 824-5200 (ext. 4), or click here to email us.