BDD and Addiction

BDD symptoms may be slightly different for different people but they can create enormous distress and unhappiness. Some of the most common BDD symptoms include:

• Obsessive checking: Spending hours in front of the mirror, checking or trying to fix what you see as flaws.
• Avoidance: Avoiding mirrors, social situations or just leaving the house because of how you think you look.
• Camouflaging: Trying to hide perceived flaws with makeup, clothes or other ways.
• Seeking reassurance: Constantly asking others for their opinions on your appearance but never feeling satisfied with their answers.
• Comparing: Frequently comparing your appearance to others, often feeling like you don’t measure up. These could be people you know or, often, celebrities or people on social media.
• Anxiety and depression: The stress from these thoughts and behaviours can lead to serious anxiety, depression and even thoughts of self-harm.
• Eating disorders: Around a third of people with BDD develop an eating disorder at some stage in their life.

Body dysmorphic disorder is often the result of a perfect storm of factors coming together.

As with many other conditions, genetics are strongly linked to BDD, so if there is a history of mental health issues in your family, you might be more likely to struggle with BDD.

Then there is how your brain works as certain chemicals, like serotonin, might not be doing their job properly, making it easier for BDD to take hold.

Life has a way of leaving its mark, too. If you have been bullied or teased about your looks or you have been through something traumatic, those experiences can sink deep into your mind, making you hyper-aware of how you look.

The world we live in can also take its toll. Everywhere you turn, there are pictures of “perfect” people on social media and that can create feelings of inadequacy.

All these pieces fit together to create the kind of mindset where BDD can thrive.

For many people, the stress and anxiety that come with BDD lead them to seek out something – anything – that might offer some relief, even if it’s just for a little while. This is where addiction often comes into play as drugs, alcohol, or even behaviours like excessive exercise can be temporary escapes that quickly turn into something much more dangerous.

In fact, research shows that around 48% of people with BDD also struggle with a substance use disorder – a co-occurring mental health and addiction connection known as a dual diagnosis. When your mind is constantly focused on what you think is wrong with your appearance, substances can seem like a way to quiet those thoughts and to feel a little bit more at ease in your own skin. But the relief doesn’t last and over time, the addiction can make the symptoms of BDD even worse, dragging you deeper into a cycle of shame, anxiety and isolation.

At Oasis Runcorn, our approach to rehab treatment is about holistic healing. While we don’t treat BDD directly, our therapies can have extensive benefits for helping you manage symptoms.

Here are some of the most effective therapies you will undergo:

Individual therapy

Sometimes, you just need someone to talk to, one-on-one, without any judgement. That’s what individual counselling is for. It is your chance to sit down with a therapist, work through the tough stuff and figure out new ways to cope that don’t involve looking in the mirror or relying on drink or drugs.

Group therapy

Group therapy is where you meet others who get it – who have had the same struggles with addiction and have their own mental health triggers. Together, you will swap stories, share tips and support each other. As the old saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved.

Behavioural therapy

BDD can make your mind a noisy place, but behavioural therapies are all about giving you tools to quiet the chaos. You will learn how to spot those negative thoughts before they take hold and how to handle tough emotions without turning to substances.

Family therapy

Family therapy is about mending the bridges that might’ve been burned along the way. This is a safe space to bring your family into the healing process, to talk openly and to start rebuilding your most important relationships.

Holistic therapies

Sometimes, you need more than just talking – you need to feel better in your body and mind. Our holistic therapies are here to help with that. Through yoga and meditation, you will get relief from the mental noise which will help you find peace.

Ongoing support after rehab

The journey doesn’t stop when you leave us – it’s just beginning. We provide ongoing support to keep you on track. From free weekly group sessions to a personalised relapse prevention plan and our awesome Alumni Network, we are here to make sure you stay connected and strong, no matter what life throws your way.

Underneath the layers of BDD and addiction lies the real you, waiting to be rediscovered. At Oasis Runcorn, we are here to help you peel back those layers and find the person you were meant to be. Reach out now and learn to see yourself with kindness again.