Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Treatments

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Treatment Summary: Most studies administered provide evidence that Cognitive-behavioral therapy has a positive impact on clients who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder. This therapy includes cognitive reorganization, exposure, and response deterrence. These treatments alone are often not going to cover all areas of this disorder, because studies found that this disorder is generally comorbid with another type disorder. BDD is known to be comorbid with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The CBT treatment plan commonly takes place between 12 weekly sessions to 5 days a week sessions each lasting 90 minutes per session. The treatment is known to last up to 48 sessions in duration. There is still much research that must be conducted to get a better understanding of this disorder and the treatment plans that work best whether it is comorbid or singular in form. Other supplemental options include body image groups, expressive and experimental therapy, education about disease processes and recovery, behavioral/ emotion management, meal support and regular consolations with a dietitian, cognitive reconstruction, mindfulness/ meta-cognitive therapy, and mirror retraining. Many of these treatments options focused on self-awareness and cognitive change. Relapse without support is common and should me monitor. Family therapy has been found to be beneficial in the success of this disorder, in that there is a support in the clients daily life.

• Reference: Phillips, K. A. (2000). Body dysmorphic disorder: Diagnostic controversies and treatment challenges. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 64, 18-35. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2000-13775-002&site=ehost-live
• Submitter: Tiffany King

Pharmacological- Escitalopram

Summary of Treatment: Pharmacological treatments often use serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) which have shown to have a selective efficacy (Hollander & Hong, 2016). In a double-blind study it was shown that SRI clomipramine improved the severity of BDD and a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor desipramine was found to be ineffective. One study was conducted using escitalopram which is a SSRIs to treat BDD and it was found that the severity and insight, depressive symptoms, psychological functioning and quality of life all significantly improved from the baseline to the end of phase one with a success of 67% of the 100 subjects who participated (Hollander & Hong, 2016).

• Reference: Hollander, E., & Hong, K. (2016). Relapse Prevention and the Need for Ongoing Pharmacological Treatment in Body Dysmorphic Disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, (9), 857. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16050624
• Submitted by: Crystal Riley