Posts By International OCD Foundation

by Scott M. Granet, LCSW Disgusting, ugly, deformed, monster, freak, alien, defective. How many of these words have you used to describe how you feel about yourself and your appearance?  No psychiatric disorder is good to have, but I don’t know any other that so often results in people feeling so awful about themselves. It… Read more »

By Fanny Alexandra Dietel, PhD, and Ulrike Buhlmann, PhD I have worried about my appearance for several years. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has ruined my jobs, my relationships, my life. Still, it took me such a long time to seek help. This scenario — and the long journey of suffering attached to it — is… Read more »

PLEASE NOTE: The following blog post contains discussion of topics that may be upsetting, including suicide. Please take care of yourself as you read this article. If you are in crisis, know that help is only a call or click away at 1-800-273-8255 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org. by Chris Trondsen Recently, I went through a box filled with… Read more »

by Eva E. Fisher, PhD I am writing this post while gazing out the window at a beautiful Colorado landscape. Today is the first time in almost a month that the temperature is moderate (in the low 80s), and the sky is clear of smoke. I am looking forward to taking my cat for a… Read more »

by Kellie Smith I will never forget the first time I looked in the mirror and thought that I no longer resembled a human being. When I looked at my face I saw something atrocious, something that needed to be hidden. I was 16 years old and was unaware that I was experiencing my first… Read more »

by Dr. James Claiborn People with BDD struggle with what they see when they look at themselves. They often report seeing aspects of their appearance that are distorted, deformed or perhaps just ugly. What any of us see when we look at anything is the product of perceptual processing. Understanding what is involved in perceptual… Read more »

by Dr. Ryan Kaplan Often when people with BDD first come to see me for treatment, they describe their struggles with their appearance and how they hate what they see when they look in the mirror. They talk about feelings of disgust, anxiety, and shame about their appearance, and a deep desire to one day… Read more »

by Roberto Olivardia, PhD Although not yet recognized in the scientific literature, the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is worthy of attention. As a specialist in treating patients with BDD, as well as an ADHD expert, I have observed how ADHD can have a negative impact on body image…. Read more »

by Stella Kim Hansen, LMHC and Michele T. Pato, MD It wouldn’t be possible to write a blog post about body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) without acknowledging the stressful effects of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Through our own experiences in clinical work and doing research on the unique disorder of BDD, I am struck by how… Read more »

by Denis Asselin In confinement no one can hear you scream. I know from experience.  It’s frustrating to be required to isolate and reduce a bigger world to a restricted one, especially if you suffer from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and/or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). For many, being stuck in static, familiar surroundings may even… Read more »