Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): A Conversation We Must Have | Dr Amita Jassi & Rachel Koutnik
Body Dysmorphic Disorder affects about 1 in 50 people. This means that more than 5 million people to nearly 10 million people in the United States alone have BDD. The body dysmorphia advocacy group, BDD, connected me to Dr. Amita Jassi and Rachel Koutnik, LCSW.
In this episode, we cover the following body dysmorphia questions and answers:
- Body Dysmorphia Definition, including how similar or dissimilar it is to anorexia and bulimia
- Body Dysmorphia Test
- Body Dysmorphia Symptoms
- Body Dysmorphia and Social Media
- How to help someone with Body Dysmorphia
The relationship to the routines that I had was an issue and nobody caught it. The meaning I made was an issue and nobody caught it. I believed what I believed internally. – Rachel Koutnik
Resources:
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About Dr. Amita Jassi
Dr Amita Jassi is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the National and Specialist OCD, BDD and Related Disorder Service for Children and Young People (South London and Maudsley NHS Trust). She has worked with this client group since 2006. Amita is the lead for the BDD branch of the service as well as the research lead for the clinic. This is the only specialist service for young people with BDD in the UK.
In her clinical role, she develops and delivers individually-tailored treatment packages, including intensive, home-based and inpatient treatment, as well as offering consultation and joint work with clinicians around the country.
Amita has taught and trained nationally and internationally on child and adolescent OCD and BDD. She is the author of several books including ‘Appearance Anxiety: a Guide to Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder for Young People, Families and Professionals’ and ‘The Parents’ Guide to Body Dysmorphic Disorder’. She has She has over 35 publications in peer reviewed journals on OCD and BDD and engages in media work to increase awareness and understanding of these conditions. Amita is also a trustee for the BDD Foundation charity.
About Rachel Koutnik
Rachel Koutnik, LCSW is a therapist in private practice in Los Angeles, California. Rachel has been a practicing therapist for 12 years with a background in community counseling with children, adults and families, and emergency room crisis work. She currently works with teens, adults and couples providing outpatient therapy, as well as part time work with adults in an intensive outpatient substance abuse recovery center. Rachel identifies as a wounded healer and has also been in recovery from Body Dysmorphic Disorder and other mental health struggles for the past 20 years. Her own healing journey has led to her integrative approach of evidence based and holistic healing methods.
