Imagine spending hours worrying about a flaw in your appearance that other people can’t see – constantly checking mirrors, asking for reassurance, or avoiding social situations altogether. For people with body dysmorphia, this worry can be a daily reality, but it reflects a serious mental health disorder rather than vanity.
Body dysmorphic disorder in adults can impact every part of life, from diminishing confidence to affecting work performance, straining relationships, and more. It’s one of several adult mental health disorders that can be effectively treated with the right support.
If you struggle with obsessive appearance concerns, you may wish to seek personalized guidance from a mental health professional, such as the team at AMFM Healthcare. This page can also help you to better understand the body dysmorphia adults may experience by exploring:
Imagine looking in a funhouse mirror: your reflection appears distorted, bigger, smaller, or just plain “wrong.” Having BDD can be like having a constant funhouse mirror in your mind – magnifying and distorting your appearance or self-image. This is why BDD is sometimes referred to as a “self image anxiety disorder.”
What Does BDD Look Like?
Adults with body dysmorphic disorder might spend hours checking their reflection in mirrors or windows, comparing themselves to others, or trying to fix a perceived imperfection.
What’s more, BDD doesn’t just cause someone to focus on their facial features (although this is quite common); they may see faults anywhere on their body. For instance, someone may fixate on their hair, nose, legs, chest, or genitals, obsessing over symmetry, shape, size, color, or position, all the while causing overwhelming distress.2
How Common Is BDD?
People often develop BDD in their teenage years. But let’s take a quick look at some facts and figures about BDD in adulthood to help you grasp the extent of this disorder:2
2.4% of adults in the U.S. struggle with BDD
BDD affects millions of adults across America, regardless of race, gender, or social status. It can happen to anyone, and understanding more about the condition can help increase awareness and encourage people to seek help.
What Type of Condition Is BDD?
If you think BDD sounds a bit like obsessive-compulsive disorder because of the nature of its intrusive thoughts and checking behaviors, you’re on the right track.
BDD is actually classified under “obsessive-compulsive and related disorders” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is the go-to textbook for mental health.1 But, although there are certain similarities, it’s important to remember that BDD isn’t simply OCD that’s focused on appearance. It has its own unique symptoms and diagnostic criteria.
Understanding what BDD is can help you realize why it feels so overwhelming to live with it. But what are the signs and symptoms of BDD, and how do you know if you have it?
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Recognizing BDD symptoms is essential for diagnosis and, consequently, receiving the help you need to feel better. With that in mind, common BDD symptoms may look like:3-5
Preoccupation or obsessive concern with flaws in your appearance that others don’t notice
These worries and behaviors can consume hours each day, trapping you in a cycle of self-criticism, anxiety, and distress. If any of these patterns resonate with you, you might be dealing with BDD. Know that you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it. Seeking help and receiving a diagnosis can help you get the support and treatment you need.
BDD Diagnostic Criteria
When looking at BDD symptoms and diagnosis, the DSM-5 criteria includes:6
Preoccupation with perceived physical defects or flaws in physical appearance that aren’t observable to others
To an outside observer, BDD may look like vanity, but it’s actually an obsessive disorder that can impact a person’s life and ability to function.
But why does someone develop BDD? This is explored in the next section.
Yes, many health insurance plans provide coverage for the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder. Coverage does vary among major health insurance companies, and may include copay, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Insurance coverage often covers both inpatient and outpatient therapy clinics, allowing you to receive support during different stages of your recovery.
It is important to note that your plan may require prior authorization for specialized treatment options. To learn more about the scope of your insurance coverage, we encourage you to contact A Mission For Michael today.
However, the causes of body dysmorphia aren’t yet fully understood. There is no single gene that determines whether you will develop the condition, yet research indicates that several risk factors may play a role. These include:3,4,7
Genetics: BDD may be likely to develop if you have a family history of BDD or OCD
Understanding why BDD develops can allow you to be more compassionate with yourself and realize that it truly is a mental health condition rather than a quirk or result of narcissism. This matters even more when you consider the impact this condition often has on people’s lives when left untreated.
Mood changes: Untreated BDD can lead to anxiety, low mood, poor self-esteem, and self-consciousness
As you may gather, body dysmorphic disorder is a serious mental health condition that can completely disrupt life. Fortunately, effective treatments are available to help you regain control.
The following sections will look at the most effective treatments for healing BDD.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Mental Health support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
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If you or a loved one struggles with body dysmorphia, you may be wondering how it gets treated: Do I need therapy? Is there a magic pill that will help?
The good news is that effective treatments do exist, primarily talking therapy and medication, which are often combined for the best results.6 Let’s look at these in closer detail below.
Additionally, during body image therapy, adults may be guided through a process called “exposure and response prevention.” This is essentially what it sounds like: exposing someone to their fears (in a very gradual manner, of course) while they prevent themselves from carrying out usual coping behaviors.9
While it may sound stressful, exposures are done slowly, starting with the smallest fears and building up to larger ones over time. This gives you the chance to learn how to tolerate and manage distress, as well as face your fears to see what really happens.
If SSRIs don’t bring enough relief, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) called “cloripramine” may be offered alongside existing medication as a second-line treatment.4,6
Residential BDD treatment programs provide a safe, welcoming environment with 24/7 care and support so that you can begin to heal. Some of the benefits of residential care for body dysmorphia include:
Crisis stabilisation
In general, intensive programs are likely appropriate if you are having suicidal thoughts, find it a challenge to look after yourself, or outpatient treatment hasn’t brought enough relief.
With the right support, you can look forward to a life filled with more ease, calm, and balance.
Living with body dysmorphia can feel isolating, especially if symptoms take over daily life. Yet, with the right support and treatment, recovery is possible.
At AMFM, we offer residential treatment programs for recovery from body dysmorphic disorder in adults. With treatment tailored to your unique needs, evidence-based therapies, and compassionate care, our safe and supportive treatment centers provide a healing environment for you to focus on recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling with BDD, reaching out for help can be a great first step towards a life of greater ease and balance. Contact us today to find out how we can support you. You don’t have to face this alone; we can be beside you every step of the way.
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