During Times of Stress, You May Need to Modify Your Expectations
BDD symptoms can increase at times of stress. Virtually any type of change can be stressful—positive events as well as negative ones. Don’t be discouraged if the BDD sufferer has a temporary setback during stressful times. At these times, you may need to lower your expectations a little bit. Keep implementing the suggestions in this chapter (e.g., encouraging progress, praising small gains) while also keeping in mind that progress may be slower, or may even stop, during stressful times. At times like these, your encouragement, support, and understanding may be especially helpful.
Create a Supportive Home Environment
Because BDD can be so hard to cope with, it’s easy to criticize and express anger toward someone who has it. It’s best to avoid this. Instead, do your best to create a supportive home environment. Help them talk about their feelings of anxiety, depression, shame, and isolation. Show your support, and help them fight BDD. Without being judgmental, critical, or hostile, explain that if you participate in their rituals or help them avoid things like social situations, this will only strengthen the BDD. Let them know that you care and that you’ll try to understand and support them through the recovery process.
Create a Supportive Home Environment
Because BDD can be so hard to cope with, it’s easy to criticize and express anger toward someone who has it. It’s best to avoid this. Instead, do your best to create a supportive home environment. Help them talk about their feelings of anxiety, depression, shame, and isolation. Show your support, and help them fight BDD. Without being judgmental, critical, or hostile, explain that if you participate in their rituals or help them avoid things like social situations, this will only strengthen the BDD. Let them know that you care and that you’ll try to understand and support them through the recovery process.
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