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Body Dysmorphia Treatment in Sacramento, California
Feeling preoccupied with your appearance is something we can all relate to but when this worry turns into constant negative self-talk and obsessive thinking that is out of control, it is time to take measures to protect your mental health. Our clinic specializes in body image disorder treatment in Sacramento – we help adult men and women, offer same-day admissions whenever it is warranted, and provide pet accommodations to devoted pet owners.
What Is Body Dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphia – sometimes called body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD – refers to a mental health condition characterized by fixation on either minor or non-existent flaws in your appearance. It stems from insecurity and low self-confidence and forces the person to spend hours thinking about how they look and try to fix these flaws at any cost.
Body Dysmorphia Symptoms
If you believe that you are suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, you need to be mindful of the following symptoms before arranging a mental health consultation:
How to Diagnose Body Dysmorphia?
It is essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis before we start treating you for body dysmorphia which is why it is a key component of the Admissions Process at our facility:
- You will undergo a mental health evaluation to let a licensed clinician know more about your symptoms, behaviors such as excessive grooming, and the impact of BDD on your social and professional life.
- We will also need to conduct a thorough medical screening to rule out neurological conditions and assess how your condition has affected your physical health.
- Our staff will keep monitoring you in a clinical setting so that we do not miss any underlying mental health issues and distinguish the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder from the manifestations of other conditions.
What Can Cause Body Dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphic disorder develops due to psychological, biological, and environmental factors. Differences in brain structure, family history of BDD, perfectionism, and childhood trauma are considered to be the main contributors to this condition. Bullying, abuse, and neglect an individual is forced to deal with as a child makes them more prone to body dysmorphia.
What Does Body Dysmorphia Treatment Involve?
Body dysmorphia treatment in Sacramento varies from patient to patient – it usually involves both evidence-backed therapeutic interventions and supportive care:
Learn more about the methods of treatment we implement at Northern California Mental Health by visiting our Therapy Options page.
Body Dysmorphia Co-Occurring Conditions
In certain cases, treatment for body dysmorphic disorder can be complicated due to the presence of co-occurring mental health disorders:
When you cannot see yourself objectively and worry about your appearance and weight, it is easy to develop a severe eating disorder.
Individuals with OCD and BDD experience distressing, intrusive thoughts and rely on repetitive behaviors to alleviate their anxiety.
A therapist should utilize cognitive therapy for body dysmorphia that will also help the patient overcome their fears of being judged or embarrassed in public.
Address both mood swings and appearance-related distress with mood stabilizers and talk therapy that teaches you how to reframe your negative thoughts.
If you want to know what conditions our mental health specialists target with integrated care in addition to body dysmorphia, you should refer to our What We Treat page.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
When you arrive at Northern California Mental Health for your initial visit, we will introduce you to our facility and learn more about the manifestations of body dysmorphia that affect your personal and professional life. You will have a chance to discuss your concerns with a licensed clinician who will offer you a treatment plan recommendation and answer the questions you might have. It is possible to start with Virtual Mental Health Treatment and then transition to a more intensive level of care based on how well you resonate with therapy. The first appointment usually lasts for an hour or an hour and a half, and our clients leave the clinic with a clear understanding of their path forward.
How Long Does Body Dysmorphia Treatment Take?
It can be difficult to say how long you will need to work with body dysmorphia specialists in Sacramento to overcome the symptoms of your condition – it depends on how severe it is.
Most patients see a major improvement after eight to twelve weeks of focused therapy.
You may sign up for an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and see the results after three to six months of therapy.
It might be necessary to attend counseling regularly for about six months and then preserve your gains with long-term maintenance care.
When to Seek Help for Body Dysmorphia?
While a decision to get professional help for body dysmorphic disorder is deeply personal and requires some reflection, early intervention and timely treatment can make all the difference. Once you notice that your concerns over your appearance cause significant distress, you spend hours grooming yourself or checking your face and body in the mirror, or your condition forces you to skip social gatherings, it is a good idea to arrange a visit to a therapist. In case you experience thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation related to your negative body image, you need to talk to a mental health professional right away – our team is here for you 24/7.
Why Choose Northern California Mental Health for Body Dysmorphia Treatment?
You will work with experienced therapists and psychiatrists who will offer you reassurance and implement evidence-validated methods of treatment to help you.
Our patients respond more adaptively to stressors when they are able to speak to therapists in a private setting and try diverse body dysmorphia therapy options.
We will utilize mindfulness-based interventions like music therapy to help you combat negative thoughts, beliefs, and bodily sensations.
You can join group therapy sessions to find like-minded individuals and combat social isolation caused by your disorder.
Body Dysmorphia Treatment Near Me
The location of a mental health clinic matters so if you live in El Dorado County, San Joaquin County, or Placer County and want to undergo body dysmorphic disorder treatment in Northern California, you should schedule a consultation with our specialists. The map below will provide you with directions to Northern California Mental Health, and a Virtual Tour will let you preview our facilities anytime.
How to Start Body Dysmorphia Treatment in Sacramento?
Regardless of how long you have been suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, it is never too late to recover from it and create a fulfilling life you deserve. You can undergo BDD treatment in Northern California under the supervision of our specialists – we will take care of all the logistics, from insurance verification to arranging your first counseling session, while you prioritize your mental well-being.
Get in touch with Northern California Mental Health by calling (916) 545-6541 or visiting our Contact Us page – meaningful support is just one conversation away.
