BDD

Body Dysmorphia Disorder (BDD) Treatment

Specialist, evidence-based treatment for body dysmorphia disorders in a compassionate, confidential setting designed to support lasting recovery.

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Body Dysmorphia EXPLAINED

What Is Body Dysmorphia Disorder?

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a recognised mental health condition characterised by intense preoccupation with one or more perceived flaws in appearance. These concerns often feel very real and distressing to the individual, even if the perceived differences are not visible to others. People seeking BDD help commonly describe spending significant time worrying, checking, or attempting to “fix” these perceived flaws.

1.25M

people living with an eating disorder

BDD is a treatable condition.

With appropriate assessment and structured support, individuals can experience meaningful and sustained improvements in daily functioning and quality of life.

46%

of Adults feel unhappy about their appearance

ASPECTS OF IMPORTANCE

The Link Between BDD and OCD

BDD is part of the obsessive–compulsive spectrum and shares features with OCD, including intrusive, repetitive thoughts and compulsive behaviours aimed at reducing distress. In BDD, these patterns focus specifically on appearance concerns.

Understanding this link helps guide treatment, as many evidence-based approaches used for OCD, such as cognitive behavioural techniques and exposure-based interventions, are also effective in supporting recovery.

Emotional and Psychological Aspects

BDD is associated with marked anxiety, shame, intrusive thoughts, and distress linked to appearance. These experiences can significantly impair self-esteem, increase social withdrawal, and maintain a cycle of repetitive behaviours aimed at reducing perceived threats or discomfort.

The Importance of Understanding

BDD is not vanity and is not something a person can simply “think their way out of”. It is a complex psychological condition that requires compassionate understanding and structured therapeutic intervention.

How We Support you

Signs and Symptoms of BDD

BDD symptoms range in severity but typically involve persistent preoccupation with perceived appearance flaws that interfere with everyday life. Early recognition and intervention are beneficial and may prevent symptoms from intensifying over time. Identifying these signs is an important first step and a reason to seek specialist body dysmorphia help.

Common signs include:

  • Excessive appearance checking in mirrors, photos or reflective surfaces
  • Avoidance of mirrors, photos or reflective surfaces
  • Frequently comparing ones appearance to others
  • Camouflaging, covering, or hiding perceived flaws for example with makeup or clothing
  • Persistent self-criticism or dissatisfaction with appearance
  • Distress, anxiety, or avoidance of social situations
  • Repetitive reassurance-seeking from others regarding appearance or perceived appearance flaws
  • Excessive cosmetic or surgical procedures to change appearance

How The London Centre
Supports Recovery

Treatment at The London Centre is expert-led, confidential, and grounded in evidence-based clinical practice. Our approach is structured, thoughtful, and responsive to each individual’s psychological needs and level of impairment. Where appropriate, psychological therapy may be complemented by psychiatric consultation, medication, or other specialist support.

Our focus is on improving emotional well-being, reducing symptom severity, and supporting clients to regain confidence and function effectively in everyday life.

Personalised Care

Personalised and Collaborative Care

Each treatment plan is individually formulated. We work collaboratively to establish goals, understand maintaining factors, and create a programme of care that is paced and adapted to the individual’s needs.

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THERAPIES USED

Body Dysmorphia Treatment

Effective body dysmorphia therapy targets the cognitive, behavioural, and emotional processes that maintain BDD. It can also address past experiences that may have resulted in, or intensified BDD symptoms. Our treatments draw on robust psychological models and are designed to help clients develop new ways of responding to intrusive thoughts and appearance-related distress.

Therapies offered include:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for BDD (CBT-BDD)
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

A Holistic Approach to Recovery

We support clients to make changes not only in thought patterns but also in daily routines, behaviours, and emotional coping strategies. Therapeutic work focuses on rebuilding a realistic and compassionate sense of self and strengthening the ability to navigate appearance-related triggers more effectively.

Benefits of Specialist Body Dismorphia Treatment

  • Reduction in intrusive, appearance-focused thoughts
  • Decreased avoidance and safety behaviours
  • Improved emotional regulation and coping strategies
  • Improved daily functioning and relationships
  • Enhanced self-esteem and confidence
  • Greater long-term psychological resilience
A Place of Specialist Support

When to Seek Help for
BDD

Professional body dysmorphia help should be sought whenever appearance concerns begin to affect mood, relationships, or daily functioning. Many individuals delay seeking treatment due to shame or fear of being misunderstood, or because they do not believe that they have BDD.


All treatment at The London Centre is confidential, specialist, and tailored. No concern is “too small” to bring to a professional.

Start your journey

Take the First Step
Towards Recovery

Recovery from BDD is entirely possible with structured, specialist support. Our team is experienced in working with individuals whose lives have been significantly impacted by appearance-related distress, and we offer a safe, non-judgmental environment in which to begin this work. If you or someone you care about is struggling, we are here to help.

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FAQs

FAQs About BDD Treatment

A BDD assessment explores the nature, severity, and impact of appearance-related concerns. At The London Centre, this informs a personalised treatment plan based on evidence-based psychological approaches. Many clients find the assessment both clarifying and reassuring.

Yes. Most individuals with BDD are effectively treated in an outpatient setting. Our expert-led therapy model is designed to provide structured support without the need for inpatient care unless risk or severity indicates otherwise.

CBT-BDD protocols are the most researched and effective, often supported by approaches such as CFT, EMDR, Schema Therapy, or ACT. We select interventions based on the individual formulation and clinical presentation.

Yes, although usually a diagnosis of BDD will not be given until after the symptoms of an eating disorder have been treated due to the significant overlap making it difficult to determine whether BDD is present or a result of an eating disorder.  Our team specialises in treating BDD both in isolation and in the presence of an eating disorder.

Treatment duration varies depending on symptom severity, complexity, and individual goals. Your psychologist will discuss expected length of therapy during the assessment phase and review this regularly.

Family involvement can be beneficial, particularly for adolescents or individuals whose support system plays a key role in recovery. We offer psychoeducation and family therapy where appropriate.

Yes. Online therapy follows the same clinical standards and structured treatment models as in-person sessions. It can be a flexible and accessible option for many clients.

We aim to offer appointments as soon as possible, with minimal waiting times. Our team will guide you through the next steps so you can begin treatment promptly.