BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER (BDD)
People with BDD suffer from the obsession that a part of their body is defective, deformed, or flawed. All parts of the body are susceptible, but common sites include hair, skin, nose, and legs. Clients with BDD engage in a number of safety behaviors to relieve their distress including body camouflaging with make-up or extra clothes, excessive mirror checks, reassurance seeking from loved ones, research on how to correct the perceived defect, avoidance of social/public gatherings and, in extreme cases, surgery. Clients suffering from BDD can experience significant life interference on every level (e.g., financial, emotional, social, and occupational). Although BDD affects a percentage of the population similar to other anxiety disorders, it’s not a widely recognized condition. BDD should not be confused with body image dissatisfaction that many people and individuals with Eating Disorders struggle with; in general, individuals with BDD are overly focused on a specific body part vs. their weight.
Before seeing Taylor, I was struggling with OCD behavior, compulsive exercise, and learning how to cope with my past in a healthy way. He was very patient, understanding, and non-judgmental, which allowed me to uncover problems that were essentially being pushed aside. I used to get uncomfortable and self-conscious about discussing certain things that happened when I was younger, but the environment that he creates is very welcoming and I felt at ease when memories came to mind. He also asked me…