June 10, 2025

138. CLINICAL DIRECTOR Reveals: This Is Why You Struggle With Your Self-Image

24 minutes

🧠 Episode Summary: Struggling with feeling ugly, ashamed, or alone?

In this episode, Dr. Sony Khemlani-Patel shares insights from 25+ years of treating OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Discover how BDD affects self-worth, why it’s often misunderstood, and what real recovery looks like.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• How Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) differs from body image issues and eating disorders

• Why people with BDD often suffer in silence—and what keeps them from speaking up

• The impact of social media, AI, and perfection culture on self-perception

• Real-life insights from clinical practice, including powerful patient stories

• How shame, trauma, and brain biology intertwine in BDD

• What therapy approaches work best—and how to break the comparison cycle

• How to recognize the signs of BDD and take the first step toward healing

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00:23] Introduction to the episode

[00:01:48] BDD vs Body Image vs Eating Disorder: Understanding the Differences

[00:03:36] Eating Disorders and BDD: How They Overlap and What Makes Them Different

[00:05:10] BDD and Distorted Perception: Seeing Flaws That Aren’t Really There

[00:05:51] Is BDD in the Brain? The Biological Side of the Disorder

[00:06:53] Best Real-Life Example of BDD in Everyday Life

[00:07:26] Hyperfocusing: When the Brain Locks Onto Details and You Zoom Out

[00:07:53] The Patient Who Was a Photographer: A Unique BDD Story

[00:08:25] What to Say When Someone’s “Flaw” Isn’t Just in Their Head

[00:09:46] Is BDD Caused by Trauma or Is it Something Else?

[00:10:52] Understanding the Gap Between Appearance and Body Image

[00:12:07] Looking in the Mirror: Carrying the Weight of Childhood and Environment

[00:12:53] Spotting BDD in Yourself: Key Warning Signs and Actions

[00:15:36] What Percentage of People with BDD Experience Suicidal Thoughts?

[00:16:08] Why People Hide Their BDD from Doctors and Loved Ones

[00:17:13] The Comparison Trap: AI, Social Media, and Unrealistic Perfection

[00:19:04] How to Stop Comparing Yourself and Find Peace

[00:19:59] What Therapy Works Best for BDD? Expert Recommendations

[00:21:44] Managing Heavy Emotions and Shame in BDD Treatment

[00:23:13] Closing Reflections and Final Thoughts

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:

🎁 Free Download: https://shorturl.at/KcTxM

📓 OCD Journal: https://shorturl.at/7pUxB

✅Bio Behavioral Institute:

👉Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bio.behavioral/

👉Website - www.biobehavioralinstitute.com

👤 About the Host:

The OCD Whisperer Podcast is hosted by Kristina Orlova, LMFT, a licensed therapist who has helped hundreds of clients with OCD and anxiety using ERP, ACT, and ICBT.

🌐 Learn more: www.korresults.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer

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⚠️Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

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By Kristina Orlova

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