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Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

​Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a disabling condition that until recently has been largely ignored. However, it has been estimated that 1 to 2 percent of the general population has BDD, which is nearly 5 million people in the United States alone. BDD is aptly described as the disease of "imagined ugliness." Most of us pay attention to our appearance but BDD sufferers worry excessively and unreasonably about some aspects of their appearance. They may be concerned that their nose is too big, chin misshapen, eyelids too puffy, breasts too small, hips too large, etc. If their facial pores are visible, they obsess that they have facial scarring. Any blemish such as acne, freckles or anything else becomes a focal point constantly drawing their attention and thoughts. These flaws may be non-existent or minimal but you cannot reassure a BDD victim. BDD patients may compulsively remove their skin, attempt self surgeries and even amputations in extreme cases. These obsessive concerns cause significant emotional distress (e.g. depression) and often significantly interfere with functioning. Yet, most BDD patients do not seek psychiatric /psychological help. Their disease dictates the course of action and those who opt for non-psychiatric treatment will undergo unnecessary plastic surgeries and undertake life threatening procedures. Our clinic offers a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of BDD: a method of externalizing internal impulses through the use of distorted images produced by using crooked mirrors.

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921 Westwood Blvd. Suite 223

Los Angeles, CA 90024

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310-443-0031

Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders

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