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Conditions We Treat

Body Dysmorphic Disorder Rehab Treatment

Written By Stuart Croft
Reviewed By Tiffany Green
Medically Reviewed By Wajahat Choudhry
Updated January 11, 2023

While many are ready to admit what they don’t like about their bodies, those suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) have an obsessive focus on their perceived body flaws. They can be hypercritical of even the slightest imperfection, often not even observable to others. This obsession leads to many suffering distress and anxiety, impacting their ability to function normally in daily life. Some frequently check the mirror, seek reassurance from others, or attempt to hide or fix their perceived flaws. 

In some cases, BDD can manifest into an eating disorder. Obsessive thoughts about being thin lead to extreme dieting and anorexia, while conversely, some turn to food and binge eating, with or without purging, when they lose control. 

Gladstones Clinic offers safe and effective Body Dysmorphic Disorder rehab treatment services. Our experienced team of physicians and psychologists understand the interplay of contributing factors and how they relate to each individual and go out of their way to design integrative and personalised treatment programmes.

Need help in battling Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Overcome Body Dysmorphic Disorder and reclaim your health. Take the first step with Gladstones Clinic for expert care, personalised treatment, and lasting recovery.

Learn more about Body Dysmorphic Disorder

What causes Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Currently, the exact cause of BDD is poorly understood. Like many other complex mental health conditions, BDD most likely develops as a response to several contributing factors. Both genetic and neurobiological factors play a role, with individuals coming from families with high rates of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) having a higher risk of developing BDD, and abnormalities observed in the area of the brain responsible for processing visual information and emotional regulation. 

Personal and environmental factors also contribute to BDD. Feelings of low self-esteem or self-worth, tendencies to compare oneself with others, perfectionism, and childhood experiences such as teasing and trauma can all lay the path to BDD. Societal pressure to be thin and media images portraying idealised bodies can easily cause feelings of body dissatisfaction, especially in the teenage years when we are particularly sensitive about our physical appearance.

When to seek treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Body Dysmorphic Disorder, like any other mental health condition that negatively affects your quality of life or ability to function daily, should be treated as soon as possible. BDD causes an obsession with an ideal that can never be achieved, causing significant distress and anxiety in the process. This takes away from the joys of living and the confidence to live your life comfortably in your own skin.

If you have experienced any of the symptoms of BDD, feel free to contact us for an obligation-free discussion on how we can help you get started on the road to recovery.

What happens in Body Dysmorphic Disorder treatment?

1. Assessment & Personalised Treatment Plan

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a complex compulsion disorder that needs a targeted and individually tailored treatment schedule to ensure that all contributing factors are adequately addressed. During pre-admission, our team of experienced physicians and psychologists will spend time with you to fully understand the unique driving forces behind your BDD. This allows us to create unique treatment schedules based on your needs and avoids having to resort to cookie-cutter treatments.

2. Behavioural Therapies

Your behavioural therapies during BBD rehab will consist of a number of clinically proven modalities, each identified and chosen to jumpstart your recovery based on your needs. At the core of BBD rehab treatment lies Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which allows patients to recognise and challenge distorted thoughts and perceptions about their appearance. CBT has been instrumental in helping our patients break the cycle of obsessive preoccupation with their perceived flaws, allowing countless to live and breathe freely in their own bodies.

3. Addressing Underlying Issues

It’s not uncommon for Gladstones to treat patients suffering from BDD with co-existing mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or mood disorders. A long-repeated cycle of obsessive self-criticism and intense distress is often further fueled by mental health disorders, and addressing these underlying issues can help facilitate and accelerate a comprehensive and long-term recovery. 

4. Aftercare and Ongoing Support

Few rehab clinics in the UK can hold a candle to Gladstones Clinic’s exceptional aftercare programmes. We understand that mental health conditions don’t simply vanish with treatment, and patients often require additional support post-treatment. Our secondary and tertiary programmes offer additional therapy sessions as required and access to various Gladstones resources that facilitate long-term growth, independence, and recovery. With Gladstones Clinic as your recovery partner, you’ll never be alone in the fight against mental health disorders again. 

Get professional help in dealing with Body Dysmorphic Disorder

With personalised care and treatment, comfortable and relaxing facilities, and a 20-year track record of successfully treating our patients’ Body Dysmorphic Disorder and other eating disorders, Gladstones Clinic is the ideal partner to start your journey to recovery. 

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