Therapy For Body Dysmorphia
People with eating disorders often have a distorted view of how their body looks. The way they see their bodies may be very different from what others see. This way of thinking and feeling about your body is called Body Dysmorphia.
People with body dysmorphia feel a lot of distress and anxiety about the way that they look, and may spend a lot of time and energy thinking about it or trying to change it. This can affect your health, your relationships with family and friends, and the way you function in life. You might be feeling anxious and depressed, which can lead to spending more time alone. And of course, eating disorder symptoms such as restricting what or how much you eat can cause serious health problems.
We’re here to help. Get in touch to talk to us about starting therapy, so that you can start to feel better and get back to living your life.
Can men and boys have body dysmorphia?
Men and women can both be affected by distress about their body image, though it is often thought of as something that only affects women. In fact, men are more at risk for a particular type of body dysmorphia called Muscle Dysmorphia. According to public-facing literature produced by Eating Disorder Hope, muscle dysmorphia involves a preoccupation with body shape, size, and strength. Those with Muscle Dysmorphia tend to see themselves as “puny,” weak, too small, or inadequately muscular, despite their true appearance and strength levels. Many of those who have been found at the highest risk for developing Muscle Dysmorphia are involved in sports that revolve around gaining muscle or strength. One study found that bodybuilders, in particular, showcased symptoms of MD at a rate of anywhere from 3.4% to 53.6% when compared to other resistance training athletes.
Is Body Dysmorphia Just About Weight?
No. Some people with body dysmorphia may focus on a particular feature they don’t like about themselves, such as their skin or their facial features, while others may focus mainly on their body weight, shape, or size.
Doesn’t Everyone Feel Bad About Their Body Sometimes?
Feeling dissatisfied with your body sometimes can be perfectly normal. For most people, body dissatisfaction is a passing thought that does not cause too much distress.
If you find that the way you feel about your body causes you to avoid people, places, or situations, or if the way you feel about your body causes you to engage in harmful behaviors like restricting what you eat or exercising compulsively, something more serious may be going on.
If this sounds like you or your child/teen, the time to get help is now. The therapists at Christine Knorr Psychotherapy Associates have specialized experience in helping people to feel better about their bodies and to improve their relationship with food and with themselves.
Is It Possible To Feel Better About My Body?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to overcome the feeling of hating your looks, and get to a place where you have a more peaceful relationship with your body. We work with a lot of people at Christine Knorr Psychotherapy Associates who have struggled with body dysmorphia and are now doing much better. They have gotten back to living their lives and have improved their relationship with food, their bodies, and themselves. Eating Disorders and body image problems like body dysmorphia require help from a trained and experienced professional. Reaching out for help can be difficult, but it is an important first step.
How does Christine Knorr Psychotherapy Associates help people with Body Dysmorphia?
We carefully consider your individual needs and create a treatment plan that is exactly right for you.
Our approach may include:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills such as emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills
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Intuitive Eating
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Trauma-focused therapy
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and other behavioral interventions
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Psychodynamic psychotherapy to help you gain insight into how your experiences shaped your relationship with food, your body, and yourself.
Sher Leibowitz, Hannah Smith, Christine Knorr, and Karissa Mercado all have specialized exerience helping people with Anorexia and other eating disorders. You can take a look at each therapist's bio and choose the therapist whose personality and experience align best with your needs. If you need help deciding, give us a call and we can help match you with the therapist who is right for you.
Will my insurance cover therapy for Body Dysmorphia?
Yes, your insurance may help you to pay for some or most of the cost of therapy. The amount your insurance will cover depends on your plan. You can find more information about our fees & how to use your insurance here.
In-Person Therapy for Body Dysmorphia in New City, NY
Christine Knorr Psychotherapy Associates provides specialized therapy for children, teens, and adults in our Rockland County office in New City, NY. Our office is accessible to all of Rockland County, Bergen County, Northern NJ, Westchester and Orange County, NY.
Virtual Therapy for Body Dysmorphia in New York
Virtual therapy is available to all of New York State.
Questions? We would be happy to answer them personally.