What are your experiences of the treatment for BDD?!


Question: What are your experiences of the treatment for BDD.?
I was very recently diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a mild case though, its not too severe.

I have been seeing an Occupational Therapist for the last 4 months regarding anxiety and self-esteem issues but she wants to discuss my case with a psychologist and decide on a road forward to help with my BDD.

I wondered if anyone would mind sharing their stories of their BDD, how it affects you day-to-day, any tips on controlling the symptoms and also what your treatment was like.?

Anything you can tell me would be a big help, just to try and educate myself on this so I know whats coming!!!

Thanks in advanceHealth Question & Answer


Answers:
First off, well done you for getting as far as actually being diagnosed. The feelings of associated shame often stop you from wanting to breath a word of it to anyone, let alone spilling to a stranger, so again well done.

I was diagnosed with moderate BDD 4 years ago, and I well remember the relief of discovering I wasn't actually a freak, and that it was a condition with a name and treatment. I saw a psychologist, 3 or 4 times a month for 8 months. She helped me enormously through teaching me cognitive behavioural therapy, and I can say that although the BDD will always be with me, I now do not fulfill the criteria to be described as having it. She explained well; that it was like turning down the volume on it. I am much better, much healthier, because I now know how to handle it.

It used to prevent me from going out the house with out performing my 'safety rituals': lots of make-up on, fringe combed down, lots of mirror checking. It took such a long time and really interferred with the things I needed to do. Sometimes I just didn't go out at all I once stayed in for 3 days continously. I was convinced that anyone who glanced at me must be thinking about how ugly I looked. There was a time at uni when I looked in the mirror and was so horrified I ran out and all the way home, got into bed and cried and cried at the distress of looking so awful. I would think about it for hours and hours each day.

I would suggest for tips on controlling it - try not to look in mirrors. One thing I had to learn was that mirrors lie! What you see is not what others see, no matter how convinced you are, I promise you, the mirrors ALL lie! Another would be try not to give in to any safety rituals you already have.

CBT is, imho, the best treatment, especially if your BDD is mild. Many books and psychologists will suggest taking anti-despressants, which are necessary for some, but if you can avoid them that is always better. You want to take them for the rest of your life.?

If you are offered CBT, take it. Essentially it challenges you by facing your fears. You'll likely draw up a list of say 1-10 activities that you avoid, listing them from easiest to most difficult. For example, for me going out without make-up on was about number 5. Going to the hairdressers and swimming baths were numbers 9 and 10. (oh the hairdressers with all thoes mirrors was bad for me - I didn't get a haircut for 3 years!) Then you attempt one task say, each week.

You might be asked to keep a 'thought diary' where you write about the things that happen in your life (like people staring at your 'imperfection'), and what you were thinking at the time. You talk these over with your psychologist who then manages to prove you how irrational you are. And the psychologist is always right, dammit!

Hun, you will be fine. CBT if you are offered it, is hard work, but so worth it in the end. I think I suffered with BDD for quite a few years before I was diagnosed. I saw a skin specialist and a plastic surgeon before I was eventually referred to pyschology, and that referral was the single best thing that could ever have happened in my whole life!

Feel free to email me if you like.

I recommend you get the book 'The Broken Mirror'. It is pretty much the only useful book around. It's like the bible of BDD.

Good luck sweetheart xHealth Question & Answer

The only advice I have for you, and is from experience, is that you have to come to terms with and love your body. Only you can change the way you think about your body. You have to push the bad thoughts out of your head and realize what you're seeing isn't what other people are seeing. It's a long process and you will want to give up. Try meditating on it.Health Question & Answer

Occupational therapists, quite often are psychologists who specialise in that field (not always before people shoot me down in flames)! It could be that your therapist wants to involve someone a little more specialised in the field to aid your recovery.

I would go with what she recommends. I overcame BDD alone and it's not fun. I wish i had the help you had but because i was working as a psychologist myself at the time it would have been nigh on impossible to get help without half of my co workers knowing :( Good luck with it all. Take my advice, go see the psychologist. They're not a scary as they sound, and nothing like they show you on the tvHealth Question & Answer



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