Understanding OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

OCD and Eating Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can deeply affect thoughts, habits, and relationships with food and body image. Our clinicians provide specialist, evidence-based support to help you regain control and peace of mind.

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OCD EXPLAINED

Understanding OCD Within Eating Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts that evoke distress (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) that temporarily relieve the distress of the obsessional thoughts. For many people, these patterns can overlap with or intensify disordered eating behaviours.

This can include excessive counting of calories, rigid food rules, repeated body checking, or a need to follow routines with extreme precision. The overlap between OCD and eating disorders is common, and symptoms can also interact with features of OCD and BDD.

These difficulties can feel overwhelming, but they are highly treatable with specialist psychological support.

OCD EXPLAINED

Understanding OCD Within Eating Disorders

Anxiety is universal. Everyone feels anxious at times, and it is a natural part of living with an eating disorder. But for many people, anxiety symptoms become more intense, more persistent, or more impairing than “normal anxiety”. In these cases, anxiety begins to function as a co-occurring condition that interacts closely with eating disorder thoughts and behaviours.
Many individuals with eating disorders experience features of:

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Panic symptoms or panic disorder
  • Social anxiety
  • Health anxiety
  • Obsessive worry linked to body checking or food rules

These are not separate conditions we treat in isolation, rather, they are highly relevant clinical features that shape the course of an eating disorder. Understanding this interplay helps clients make sense of their experiences and supports more effective treatment.

OCD EXPLAINED

OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (a form of OCD) share significant similarities: both involve intrusive, distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviours designed to reduce anxiety or prevent imagined harm. In BDD, these thoughts and rituals centre specifically on perceived flaws in appearance.

Many individuals experience time-consuming checking, reassurance-seeking, grooming rituals, or avoidance of mirrors and social situations.
At The London Centre, our clinicians understand the nuanced relationship between OCD, BDD, and body image distress, offering an informed and compassionate approach across all three conditions.

How We Support you

Common Signs and Symptoms of OCD

OCD can present differently for everyone, but common experiences include:
  • Repetitive checking or counting behaviours
  • Intrusive, distressing thoughts that feel uncontrollable
  • Compulsions related to food, exercise, weight, or body image
  • Excessive need for order, control, or reassurance
  • Fear that something bad will happen unless a ritual is performed
  • Difficulty tolerating uncertainty or feeling “not quite right”

What Are Obsessions and Compulsions?

Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that feel unwanted and distressing. They may arise suddenly, feel disconnected from the present moment, and often create significant anxiety. Obsessional thinking is common in both OCD and eating disorders, and may also co-occur with BDD.

Obsessions commonly relate to:

  • Contamination (fear of germs, illness or dirt)
  • Losing control (fear of harming oneself or others, shouting, or acting impulsively)
  • Perfectionism (an extreme need for precision, certainty, or “getting things right”)
  • Harm (fear of being responsible for harm or not preventing danger)
  • Unwanted sexual thoughts
  • Religious obsessions (fear of offending God, superstitious beliefs, “unlucky” numbers)

Compulsions are repetitive physical or mental actions carried out to neutralise anxiety, prevent something bad from happening, or make an intrusive thought feel less threatening.

Examples include:

  • Washing and cleaning
  • Checking (behaviours or body checking)
  • Repeating words, movements, or actions
  • Mental rituals (counting, reviewing, reassurance-seeking)
  • Avoiding triggers, situations, or “unlucky” numbers
  • Ordering or arranging objects until they feel “right”

Over time, obsessions and compulsions can intensify, consuming more time and reinforcing distress. In eating disorders, compulsions may include tracking calories, frequent weighing, or rigid meal routines; in BDD, they may focus on checking or attempting to “fix” perceived flaws.

How The London Centre
Treats OCD And Related Conditions

We offer a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment pathway tailored to each person’s needs. Depending on the presentation, this may include psychological therapy, nutritional support when relevant, and psychiatric input where required.
Treatment focuses on understanding triggers, reframing intrusive thoughts, developing healthier coping strategies, and gradually reducing compulsive behaviours in a safe and supported way.
All therapy is confidential, compassionate, and matched carefully to your goals. Our aim is to support lasting recovery, improved wellbeing, and restored confidence.

Personalised Care

Therapies Used to Treat
OCD, Eating Disorders, and BDD

OCD and related conditions respond particularly well to structured, evidence-based therapeutic approaches. At The London Centre, our clinicians draw from a range of specialist models:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E)
  • Schema Therapy
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
  • MANTRA Therapy

Therapy plans are personalised, integrating the approaches most suited to your symptoms and history.

Benefits of Specialist OCD Treatment

  • Reduced anxiety and obsessive thoughts
  • Greater emotional resilience and self-confidence
  • Improved ability to resist compulsive rituals
  • Increased independence in day-to-day life
  • A healthier, more balanced relationship with food and body image
  • Supportive long-term strategies to prevent relapse
A Place of Specialist Support

When to Seek Professional Help for OCD

If intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviours, or rigid routines begin to affect daily life, health, relationships, or your ability to function, it may be time to seek specialist support.
Many people delay reaching out due to shame, fear of being misunderstood, or a belief they should “cope alone”, but early treatment can prevent symptoms from worsening.
The London Centre offers discreet, judgement-free care, with tailored pathways for those experiencing OCD alongside eating disorders or BDD.

Start your journey

Take the First Step
Towards Recovery

OCD can feel exhausting and isolating, but effective treatment is available, and recovery is entirely possible. Our team is here to listen, understand, and support you at every stage.

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FAQs

FAQs About OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) and Eating Disorders

Yes. Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours can attach themselves to eating, exercise, or body weight-leading to rigid routines, restrictive rules, or repeated checking behaviours.

BDD focuses specifically on perceived appearance flaws, while OCD can involve a much wider range of intrusive thoughts and rituals. However, BDD is a form of OCD and as such there are many similarities. 

Absolutely. At The London Centre, treatment plans integrate both conditions through multidisciplinary psychological and medical support.

Therapy typically focuses on identifying intrusive thoughts, breaking cycles of avoidance and ritual, and developing more flexible responses to anxiety.

Yes. Medication may be helpful for some individuals. Our psychiatrists can advise on whether this is appropriate as part of your care plan.

While some people do experience recurrence, therapy provides long-term strategies that significantly reduce relapse risk.

Offering empathy, avoiding involvement in rituals, and encouraging professional treatment can be incredibly helpful.

Yes. All assessments and therapy sessions at The London Centre are fully confidential.