Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) therapist near me

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About Body dysmorphia

Body dysmorphic disorder - commonly called body dysmorphia - is a mental health condition that causes you to become very anxious about a perceived physical defect. Body dysmorphia can consume a person’s thought process, leading them to adopt obsessive behavior patterns and avoid social situations. In many cases, this perceived “flaw” is so minor that others don’t even notice it. Even so, someone dealing with body dysmorphia may think about this area constantly. Some people will undergo plastic surgery - sometimes several surgeries - just to “fix” this defect.

Common symptoms of body dysmorphia include:


  • Fixation on a perceived “flaw” or “defect” in appearance
  • Adopting obsessive behaviors such as excessive grooming, looking in a mirror, picking skin, or using cosmetics to hide the “flaw”
  • Strong feelings of being “ugly” or “deformed”
  • Low self-esteem
  • Repeatedly seeking validation for appearance
  • Repeatedly consulting medical specialists to discuss ways to improve appearance

Body dysmorphia has no specific cause. It may begin to develop after a stressful or traumatic event, or along with other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. You may be at greater risk of developing body dysmorphia if you have blood relatives who have the condition, or if you have a family history of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Body dysmorphia affects men and women of diverse ages. While body dysmorphia in and of itself is not particularly dangerous, it can lead to depression, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts if left untreated. Additionally, cosmetic surgeries performed to address the “flaw” can lead to steep medical bills without a guarantee that you will feel differently about yourself. Because of these complications, you should seek medical attention if you are dealing with the symptoms of body dysmorphia.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, get help right away. Call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

If you are experiencing symptoms of body dysmorphia, it is recommended that you seek medical help right away. If left untreated, the condition can lead to serious mental health conditions and suicidal thoughts. During your appointment, talk to your provider about a treatment plan that is right for you.

Body dysmorphia is most commonly treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy - also known as CBT. CBT is a form of talk therapy in which you speak to a licensed mental health professional about your thoughts, reactions, and behaviors. The therapist can help you:

  • Learn to challenge negative thoughts about your body image
  • Replace distorted thinking with flexible and healthy thinking.
  • Learn ways to cope with stress and negative thoughts or emotions
  • Address obsessive behaviors (such as constantly checking a mirror) that are exacerbating negative thinking
  • Address negative behaviors such as social withdrawal (not going out in public due to self-consciousness about a perceived “flaw”)

A mental health provider may seek to involve family members - especially parents - if the patient is a teenager. During these sessions, you, or the person undergoing treatment, will work with the therapist to create an individualized treatment plan.

Antidepressant medication - known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - will not treat body dysmorphia, but can help address depression either resulting from or causing negative thoughts about physical appearance.

It is important that you don’t try to treat body dysmorphia alone. Seek guidance from a mental health or medical health care provider to address behaviors and symptoms related to body dysmorphia. Couple this treatment with self-care methods to improve your self-esteem and establish healthy behaviors. These methods include:

- Stick to your treatment plan and practice coping strategies. Learn what triggers your symptoms, and work with your health care provider to establish practices that can help you cope with stressful or triggering events. If you notice symptoms recurring, talk to your doctor.

- Avoid drugs and alcohol. These substances can exacerbate symptoms of body dysmorphia, anxiety, and depression.

- Eat a healthy diet and exercise. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help combat negative thoughts and behaviors associated with body dysmorphia. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while aiming for at least 2.5 hours of physical activity every week. Not only is this good for your body, but it can also help encourage positive thinking and self-worth.

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Body Dysmorphia Care

During a mental health consult, a primary care provider can help start the conversation about mental health care and maintain prescribing and medication management for those who are in stable condition and do not need the expertise of a psychiatry specialist. It's ideal for individuals seeking basic mental health guidance within a primary care context.

Mental health care starts with reaching out for help. On Sesame, you can connect with mental health specialists online to get the quality care you need right away.

Doctors who specialize in psychiatry are trained to treat depression, anxiety, and a range of behavioral health and emotional concerns.

Psychologists can treat these disorders, as well as provide counseling services. If you're looking for couples therapy, sex therapy, or stress management therapy, a psychologist could be the doctor for you.

Connect with mental health professionals on Sesame who can assess your condition, manage your symptoms, and develop a treatment plan for you.

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that focuses on emotional and mental health, as well as behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists treat mental health conditions like anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, addiction and substance abuse, depression, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and bipolar disorders.

Psychiatrists are mental health professionals trained to diagnose and treat these disorders. They use tools like psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help relieve patients' emotional distress and address their mental health concerns. Psychiatrists can also help create treatment plans to help you handle stress or reach major milestones. When necessary, your psychiatrist may prescribe medication. All prescriptions are at the sole discretion of your doctor.

Connect with a real, quality psychiatrist on Sesame who can assess your condition, manage your symptoms, and craft a treatment plan that works for you - all for one affordable, upfront price.

Though both a psychiatrist and psychologist provide mental health services and promote mental health wellness, there are some differences to keep in mind when selecting a mental health care provider.

A psychologist is not a medical doctor, but a psychiatrist is. This means that a board-certified psychiatrist (certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology) has completed medical school along with a residency with a focus in psychiatry, and has the ability not only to diagnose and treat mental illness but to assist in any medication management that comes along with the treatment plan.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) notes that "psychologists in some states can prescribe psychiatric medications with additional training, although this is not the case in most states," so you may keep that in mind when choosing a mental health care provider. Psychologists are highly trained mental health professionals that can help and assist a broad variety of mental health conditions that don't necessarily require medication or other medical treatments such as learning disabilities, phobias, or relationship issues.

With deep expertise in mental health, psychiatrists are able to effectively treat a range of conditions. You may consider consulting a psychiatrist if you are experiencing:

  • Anxiety
  • Long and lasting depression
  • Delusions or hallucinations
  • Uncontrollable substance abuse and addiction
  • Personality disorders such as paranoia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, narcissism, and OCD
  • Severe learning disabilities: When learning disabilities affect a wide range of academic subjects, you may require intense and specialized training and/or medication to overcome these difficulties

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255 or dial 911.

While all psychiatrists can provide medical advice and care, there are a number of psychiatry subfields that address particular conditions, areas, or age groups. These include:

Psychotherapy: During these sessions, also known as talk therapy, you speak with a psychotherapist or counselor to help reduce symptoms from depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions.

Child and adolescent psychiatry: This is a specialized form of psychiatry that focuses on disorders related to childhood development.

Geriatric psychiatry: The study of mental, emotional, and behavioral health as it relates to older adults.

Forensic (legal) psychiatry: The assessment and treatment of mental disorders as they relate to the law.

Addiction psychiatry: A form of psychiatry that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders related to addiction.

Psychopharmacology: The study of treating mental health disorders with the use of medication.

Yes! Telehealth platforms like Sesame now make it easier than ever to see mental health care providers for psychiatry consults and therapy sessions. Mental health professionals on Sesame offer a wide range of psychiatry services such as:

  • Talk therapy
  • Psychiatric evaluations
  • Behavioral health consultations
  • Couples therapy

In addition, licensed mental health care providers on Sesame can address and treat mental health conditions such as:

  • Anxiety disorder
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Obsessive/ Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Schizophrenia

This is not a complete list of psychiatric services offered by providers on Sesame. Use our search bar to look for the specific type of psychiatric care or treatment and book an appointment at your convenience. Most care providers will request an initial consultation to discuss your symptoms or concerns. After a consult, providers on Sesame can refer you to a specialist, or schedule follow-up appointments for further care.

Telepsychiatry (online psychiatry care) appointments are a convenient option for those seeking mental health care, without requiring a trip to a clinic. This form of telemedicine can help those seeking to fit mental health services into a busy schedule, people who either cannot - or do not want to - commute to a psychiatrist's office, or those who just want an informal chat about mental health concerns.

Most video mental health appointments will start with an initial consultation about your mental health history, symptoms you may be experiencing, medication you are currently taking, and your history with psychiatric care. After this, your mental health provider can recommend the best treatment plan for you. This may include follow-up appointments, a referral to a specialist, or a prescription for medication.

Because online psychiatrist appointments on Sesame use a video conferencing platform (like Zoom or Facetime), it is recommended that you have a stable internet connection and a private space to conduct the appointment. Even though it is taking place on a video call, you will be meeting with a mental health care provider in real-time. For your privacy, a quiet and secluded space in your home is the best place to have this video consultation.

It is generally recommended for all psychiatry consultations to jot down a few questions or concerns you may have prior to your appointment. Mental health care providers on Sesame are certified psychiatrists and therapists with the extensive experience needed to help walk you through the consultation, but it is still encouraged to come up with some questions or thoughts of your own to get the most out of your appointment.

If any other preparation is needed, your provider will reach out to discuss these specifics with you.

A therapist is a medical professional that uses psychotherapy (generally called talk therapy) to help relieve the emotional distress and mental health issues of their patients. Many trained professionals fall under the broad umbrella of "therapist" including psychiatrists, social workers, mental health clinicians, life coaches, and licensed counselors. Therapists can treat a wide range of mental health disorders that include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and relationship problems. Therapists can also help you gain tools to better handle stress, or set and achieve major goals.

Therapy is a great tool to help you track your emotions, reduce stress, work on goals like quitting smoking, guide you through major life decisions, hone skills like communication, or address problem areas in your life. Talk therapy has been widely received as an effective health care treatment for many different mental health conditions including:

  • Substance abuse
  • Eating disorders
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Relationship problems
  • Behavior issues

Yes! Telehealth marketplaces like Sesame make it easier than ever to book an online therapy session. Sesame offers a range of mental health care services, including online therapist appointments, that can meet with you over video conferencing platforms to discuss symptoms of mental illness, mental health concerns, treatment options, and more.

To book an appointment, search “Online Therapy” or “Video Therapy” using Sesame’s search bar. Browse the list of available providers, and book an appointment at your convenience. You’ll receive an email confirmation with a link to your video appointment.

Online therapy is a convenient, discreet, and affordable way to get the mental health care that you need from the comfort of your own home. Book an online therapy appointment today - no health insurance needed.

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