If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from BDD, you know how debilitating it can be. The thoughts that go through your head on a daily basis can be overwhelming and make it difficult to lead a normal life. You may feel like you are the only person who is struggling with these thoughts, but that is not the case. There are many people who suffer from BDD and want to get treatment but don’t know-how. In this blog post, we will discuss how to get treatment for BDD and start living a normal life!
Contents
What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder Treatment Mean?
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) treatment can mean different things for different people. It may involve therapy, medication, or both. The goal of treatment is to help you manage your BDD and improve your quality of life.
What Are The Goals Of Treatment For BDD?
There are several goals of treatment for BDD. And, some goals are as follows:
Understanding Your Thought And Feelings
The first goal is to help you understand your thoughts and feelings about your body. You will learn how to identify and challenge the negative thinking that leads to distress and poor body image. You will also learn healthy coping skills to deal with anxiety and stress.
Improve The Quality Of Life
The second goal is to improve your quality of life by helping you function better in social situations, at work, or in school. Treatment can also help reduce or eliminate avoidance behaviors, such as staying home instead of going out with friends.
Reduce Compulsive Behaviour
The third goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate compulsive behaviors related to BDD, such as excessive skin picking, hair pulling, or mirror checking. Treatment can also help you control any impulsive behaviors, such as spending too much money on clothes or surgery.
Build A Support System
The fourth goal of treatment is to build a support system of family and friends who can offer encouragement and understanding. This support can help you stay on track with your treatment goals.
If you are struggling with BDD, know that you are not alone. Millions of people suffer from this disorder. And, there is hope for recovery. With treatment, you can learn to control your thoughts and behaviors related to BDD and improve your quality of life. If you think you might have BDD, talk to a mental health professional about getting a diagnosis and starting treatment.
What Is A Treatment For Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best treatment for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) will vary from person to person. However, there are a number of effective treatments available that can help people with BDD manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
There are 3 ways through which people with BDD can get effective treatment:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Medication
- Self-Improvement
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps people with BDD to change the way they think and behave. CBT can be an effective treatment for BDD, as it can help people to challenge and change their negative thoughts and beliefs about their appearance.
How Can CBT Helps In A Treatment Of BDD:
- Challenge and change their negative thoughts about their appearance
- Develop a more positive and realistic view of themselves
- Learn how to cope with anxiety and distress in a more constructive way
- Build self-esteem and confidence
Medication
While there is no cure for BDD, medication can be an effective treatment for the disorder. Medication can help to reduce the intensity of BDD symptoms and make them more manageable. The most commonly prescribed medications for BDD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are a type of antidepressant that helps to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
How Can Medication Helps In A Treatment Of BDD:
- Reducing the intensity of BDD symptoms
- Making BDD symptoms more manageable
- Relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression
There are different types of medications that a doctor can prescribe by a doctor for BDD. And some of the medications are as follows:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): This is a type of antidepressant that helps to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): This medication is used to treat major depressive disorders and anxiety disorders.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): This type of antidepressant is used to relieve symptoms of depression but can also be used to treat other conditions such as migraines, chronic pain, eating disorders, and more.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): This type of antidepressant is used to relieve symptoms of depression but can also be used to treat other conditions such as migraines, chronic pain, eating disorders, and more.
Benzodiazepines: This type of medication is mainly used to treat anxiety but can also be used to treat other conditions such as seizures, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal. This can also be prescribed for people with BDD.
If you think that you may have BDD, it is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options. Medication can be an effective treatment for BDD, but it is important to work with a doctor who is familiar with the disorder in order to find the best treatment plan for you.
What Are The Self-Improvement Tips For BDD?
People with BDD can also benefit from a number of self-improvement strategies. These strategies can help people to cope with their symptoms in a more constructive way and improve their quality of life. Some self-improvement strategies that may be helpful for people with BDD include:
Exercising Regularly
Exercise can help to improve mood and reduce stress. It can also help to improve body image satisfaction by increasing confidence and self-esteem.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet can help to improve overall physical health and well-being. It can also help to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
Getting Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for overall physical and mental health. It can also help to reduce stress levels and improve mood.
Practicing Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation. These techniques can also be helpful in improving sleep quality.
If you think you may have BDD, it’s important to seek professional help. Treatment for BDD can be very effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. If you’re not sure where to start, your primary care doctor or a mental health professional can help you get the treatment you need.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you or someone you know is struggling with BDD, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. With the right treatment, people with BDD can and do get better.
The most important first step is to seek professional help from a mental health provider who specializes in treating BDD. If you are not sure where to start, you can ask your primary care doctor for a referral or look for a therapist who specializes in CBT.
Mantra Care is a platform that helps you to cure BDD symptoms. With Mantra Care, you can talk to a professional therapist about different issues related to mental health and BDD. Book your first session today and start improving your mental health! Thank you for reading!
A Word From Mantra Care
Your mental health — your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — has an impact on every aspect of your life. Positive mental health essentially allows you to effectively deal with life’s everyday challenges.
At Mantra Care, we have a team of therapists who provide affordable online therapy to assist you with issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, relationship, OCD, LGBTQ, and PTSD. Moreover, you can take our mental health test. You can also book a free therapy or download our free Android or iOS app.
