What is Body Dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphia is a recognized mental health concern listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It falls under the category of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, indicating its recognition by medical and mental health professionals. The American Psychiatric Association defines body dysmorphic disorder by the following characteristics:
- Being preoccupied with one or more perceived flaws in a person’s physical appearance, which is not visible to others
- At one point, or many points, during their struggle with this disorder, the individual has performed repetitive behaviors or mental acts related to their perceived concern. This can include mirror checking, skin picking, excessive grooming, and comparing their appearance against others.
- The person’s preoccupation with their perceived flaws causes them distress or impairs their ability to function in social, work, or other important areas of their life.
- The individual does not meet the criteria for another eating disorder
In addition to the diagnostic criteria, personalization options can be added to the diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder. One option is the specifier of preoccupation with body build and muscles, where individuals may feel they lack sufficient muscles in various body areas. Another specifier relates to the level of insight, ranging from recognizing that their beliefs are not true to complete disbelief in any evidence contradicting their beliefs. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
Who Can Struggle With Body Dysmorphia?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, 2.4% of U.S. adults and about 1.7%-1.8% of adults in similar-sized countries experience body dysmorphia. This mental health issue is more prevalent among dermatology, cosmetic surgery, and orthodontic patients. Muscle dysmorphia, more common in males, often comes with distorted perceptions of skin or hair. Typically, body dysmorphia symptoms begin between ages 12 to 13, with 2/3 of sufferers experiencing symptoms before 18. Risk factors for body dysmorphia include childhood abuse, neglect, and having family members with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How Does Body Dysmorphia Differ From Eating Disorders?
Body dysmorphia, while similar to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, differs in key ways. Research indicates those with eating disorders often focus on weight and body shape, whereas body dysmorphia can involve varied body and appearance concerns (Rosen, J. & Ramirez, E., 1998). A distinguishing feature of body dysmorphia is repetitive behavior linked to perceived flaws, not seen in eating disorders. However, both groups exhibit severe body image issues compared to individuals without such mental health concerns.
How We Treat
If you or a loved one are dealing with body dysmorphia, consider seeking treatment in your area. Resilience DBT & Eating Recovery, an outpatient therapy team in New Jersey, Florida, and Maryland, offers services for a range of mental health issues, including body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, self-harm, and inhibited grief, across all age groups.
Your Eating Disorder Treatment Plan Is Based On Your Unique Needs
We offer evidenced-based therapies, parent training, and family support that meet your needs, fostering your path to recovery. Our Health at Every Size (HAES) approach will help you accept your body and yourself!
FAMILY BASED TREATMENT (FBT)
Family-Based Treatment (FBT) stands as the gold standard for addressing eating disorders in children and adolescents, particularly for early-onset cases of anorexia, bulimia, and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
This well-researched approach places parents at the forefront of their child’s re-nourishment and weight restoration process. Eating disorder recovery can be achieved through this early intervention.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Enhanced (CBT) is an ideal approach for older adolescents and adults struggling with eating disorders.
This evidenced-based approach is a powerful and effective treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). CBT-E treatment sessions are time-limited, structured, and goal-oriented.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders (DBT-ED)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders is the method of choice for individuals who struggle with co-occurring mental health issues in addition to the eating disorder; such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or PTSD.
This comprehensive treatment method addresses the complexity of these mental health issues, in concert, prioritizing the most dangerous symptoms first.
Full Recovery is Possible
Our comprehensive services include Expressive Arts Therapy, Eating Disorder Recovery Groups, and Meal Support.
At Resilience Therapy, we have been practicing for over 25 years and know that full recovery is possible. When you are finally healed from your eating disorder, you’ll find that a whole world of possibilities will open up to you. Your healing will help free you to be successful, make a difference in the world, and live the life you dream of.
We are here to support and guide you, to help keep your household Body Positive, and to help you or your child reach their full growth potential and blossom the way they should—in mind, body, and soul.
How We Treat
Explore the benefits of an evidence-based approach to therapy
Family Based Treatment (FBT)
FBT, or the Maudsley approach, is a Gold Standard treatment. FBT is a culturally-sensitive method that keeps a child in their family environment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E)
We specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E) to support children, teens, and adolescents struggling with eating disorders
Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Our compassionate and highly skilled therapists are dedicated to helping your loved ones develop emotional resilience, improve their self-esteem, and overcome challenges associated with various eating disorders.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Our Professional Affiliations
