Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBD) is a treatment for body dysmorphic disorder that focuses on helping the patient change the way they think about their body and their self-perception. A therapist uses CBT to help a patient understand how their thoughts affect their emotions, and helps them develop healthier ways of thinking about themselves.
By learning to identify negative thoughts, replace them with more positive ones, and learn how to correct the emotional impact of those thoughts, patients can feel better about themselves and treat their BDD.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that focuses on helping clients identify and change negative beliefs and behaviors. It has been shown to be effective in treating a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, as well as in treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
BDD is an obsessive preoccupation with a real or imagined physical defect. BDD does not have a known cause, but it may be influenced by genetics, brain structure and function, family upbringing, and life experiences. It occurs much more frequently in women than men. People with BDD typically experience moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression.
BDD can significantly reduce quality of life by making it difficult to go to school or work, interact with others, or complete daily tasks. The condition can also lead to social isolation; substance abuse; self-harm; and suicidal thoughts or behavior. It is estimated that between 0.7% and 2.4% of the population will experience BDD at some point in their lives.
Research has found that CBT helps people who have BDD understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so they can learn how to respond differently to the symptoms of their disorder.
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a condition that causes people to feel extremely anxious, self-conscious, and distressed about their bodies. BDD is also sometimes called “body image dysmorphia,” because it isn’t always related to a specific body part or feature. Instead, people with BDD may feel that their entire bodies are unacceptable. For example, some people with BDD say they feel they are too fat even when they are underweight.
People with BDD have an extreme perception of their bodies. They tend to see flaws and imperfections where other people do not see them—or the flaws are so slight that only the person with BDD notices them.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or BDD, is a mental disorder that involves a preoccupation with one’s appearance and the belief that there is something physically wrong with one’s body. It is not caused by an underlying physical condition, and people who have it do not accurately perceive their own appearance.
Many people who live with BDD experience persistent negative thoughts about the way they look, which can make it hard for them to function in daily life. People with BDD often isolate themselves from friends and family because they are afraid of being judged for their appearance or feel like they need to hide their “flaws.” They may also struggle to hold down a job because their appearance obsessions interfere with their ability to work.
The idea behind CBT is that when you have a negative perception of yourself, it tends to lead to negative thoughts. Over time, these thoughts can become so habitual that they interfere with your ability to live your life in a healthy way.
For example, if you have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), you may feel so self-conscious about a perceived flaw in your appearance that you avoid social situations, have difficulty getting to work or school on time, or find it hard to concentrate at home.
The treatment for BDD is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy that aims to help people change negative thoughts and behaviors so they can live happier, more fulfilling lives. During CBT, a therapist will help their patient identify patterns in the way they think about themselves and the world around them. The therapist will also help the patient learn techniques for changing self-defeating thought patterns or behaviors into healthier ones.
BDD, like many mental health conditions, begins with a focus on a “trigger” thought; for example, “I am ugly because I have acne.” Over time, this thought may become more extreme and pervasive, such as “No one wants to be around me because I have acne.” This type of thinking may lead to self-isolation and depression.