Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): Risk Factors, Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Thrive • Aug 11, 2022

By Thrive Wellness Sacramento Clinical Director Gillian “Gillie” Francis, LCSW

A mental health diagnosis that affects up to 2.4% of people, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by a fixation on one’s own perceived body imperfections, which are generally imperceptible to others. Individuals with BDD typically engage in compulsive behaviors associated with their perceived flaws. While related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders , and body image struggles, BDD is a separate and disabling condition that can interfere with one’s ability to participate and find enjoyment in everyday life.

WHAT IS BDD?

Experienced by men and women at relatively equal rates , BDD often involves obsessive distressing thoughts about a specific body part and related repetitive behaviors, such as mirror checking, excessive grooming, and skin picking.

BDD commonly develops in adolescents ages 12 to 13 , but frequently goes undiagnosed for years. While the causes of BDD are complex, the following factors can increase an individual’s risk for developing BDD:

Abuse
Anxiety
Bullying
Depression
Fear of being alone or isolated
Genetic predisposition
Low self-esteem
OCD
Perfectionist or competitive tendencies

Signs and symptoms of BDD include:

Extreme preoccupation with a perceived flaw in one’s appearance that others don’t notice or perceive as minor
A conviction that one has a defect in their appearance that makes them “ugly” or “deformed”
A belief that others take special notice of one’s appearance in a negative or mocking way
Engaging in behaviors aimed at fixing or hiding the perceived flaw that are difficult to resist or control, such as frequently checking the mirror, grooming, or picking at one’s skin
Attempting to hide perceived flaws with styling, makeup, or clothes
Constantly comparing one’s appearance with others
Repeatedly seeking reassurance about one’s appearance from others
Undergoing cosmetic procedures with little satisfaction
Avoiding social situations to hide one’s perceived flaw from observation or judgment

BDD often occurs with other mental and behavioral health conditions, including:

OCD: Co-occurring with OCD at rates varying from 3% to 43% , BDD shares the intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that also manifest with OCD. Unlike OCD, however, the obsessive-compulsive focus of a person with BDD lies solely on their body and appearance.
Eating disorders : Research shows that 12% of those with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa also struggle with BDD. Interestingly, however, the body dysmorphic concerns of the study participants were focused on skin, hair, teeth, nose, and height, rather than weight and shape. Even so, some individuals with BDD attempt to manipulate their perceived flaws through disordered eating behaviors including calorie restriction, over-exercising, and purging.

BDD VS. BODY IMAGE ISSUES

Individuals who experience poor body image often feel a general sense of displeasure about their overall appearance especially as it relates to weight or shape. Struggles with body image may arise from diet culture’s invasive narrative which prioritizes and celebrates certain body shapes over others. Although detrimental, body image issues brought on by diet culture are divergent from symptoms of BDD, which is a mental health diagnosis. Those with BDD experience intense preoccupation with specific body parts and cope with their distressing thoughts through disruptive, ritualized behaviors.

TREATMENT FOR BDD

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatment interventions for BDD, with a 77% to 84% success rate according to one study . A therapist applies CBT by uncovering the harmful thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to a person’s BDD. Then, the therapist guides the client in reframing their distressing thoughts and behaviors. Generally, CBT encourages mindfulness and relaxation strategies that can be beneficial in undermining disturbing thought and behavior patterns.

HEALING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BODY AT THRIVE WELLNESS

For individuals struggling with body image concerns, BDD, OCD, disordered eating behaviors , and/or eating disorders , an integrated treatment approach involving an interdisciplinary team can help heal the root cause of their struggles and encourage lasting recovery. Drawing on evidence-based therapeutic interventions and a nutrition philosophy that emphasizes intuitive eating , Thrive Wellness’ team of psychiatrists, therapists, primary care providers, and mindful movement specialists collaborate to help individuals confidently connect with and embrace their bodies. Reach out to learn more about our treatment services .

While all Thrive Wellness locations offer interdisciplinary clinical teams who collaborate to treat eating disorders, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and additional mental and behavioral health conditions, programs and services may vary by location.

About the Author

Thrive Wellness Sacramento Clinical Director Gillian “Gillie” Francis, LCSW

Gillie Francis received her master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Nevada and is a fully licensed LCSW in both Nevada and California. Her experience spans a variety of settings and levels of care including inpatient, residential, and outpatient and crisis services. Gillie has experience working with adults and adolescents with severe mental illness, eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, personality disorders and other co-occurring disorders. Gillian is passionate about honoring each individual’s journey and utilizes approaches that emphasize empowerment with clients. Approaching her work with integrated modalities, she works with individuals to find their voice and engage in pivoting towards their values. She believes that each individual has the capacity for meaningful change in their lives. When she is not working with clients, she enjoys time outdoors with her spouse and dog, Charlie.

The post Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): Risk Factors, Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

The Importance of Whole Family Primary Care: A Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Wright

26 Mar, 2024

By serving the whole family, physicians are able to have a better understanding of family dynamics, family health care goals, and history of disease in the family.