Body dysmorphic disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a relatively common disorder that consists of a distressing or impairing preoccupation with imagined or slight defects in appearance. BDD is commonly considered to be an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder, based on similarities it has with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is important to recognize and appropriately treat BDD, as this disorder is associated with marked impairment in psychosocial functioning, notably poor quality of life, and high suicidality rates. In this review, we provide an overview of research findings on BDD, including its epidemiology, clinical features, course of illness, comorbidity, psychosocial functioning, and suicidality. We also briefly review recent research on neural substrates and cognitive processing. Finally, we discuss treatment approaches that appear efficacious for BDD, with a focus on serotonin-reuptake inhibitors and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

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Combining Pharmacotherapy and Exposure Plus Ritual Prevention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Research Findings and Clinical Applications

Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1891/jcop.2005.19.4.317 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 317-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Martin E. Franklin ◽

H. Blair Simpson

Keyword(s):

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Comorbid Depression ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Case Examples ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Negative Findings ◽

Research Findings ◽

Made In

The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involving exposure and ritual prevention (EX/RP) for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has been well documented, as has the efficacy of pharmacotherapy using serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). Response to these monotherapies is neither universal nor complete, however, and in the past 20 years significant progress has been made in examining the efficacy of combined EX/RP plus SRI treatment. Results of randomized controlled trials that have employed adequate methodology suggest that combined treatment may afford some advantages over the monotherapies, although the effect is generally not robust and there are some negative findings. Combined treatment may be especially useful in certain clinical circumstances, however, and case examples are provided describing the use of combined treatment for one patient who presented with comorbid depression and for another who refused EX/RP because he perceived it as too threatening.

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Hypochondriasis: Three Variations on a Theme

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852900002613 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 24-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stephen C. Josephson ◽

Eric Hollander ◽

Brian Fallon ◽

Dan J. Stein

Keyword(s):

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Behavioral Treatment ◽

Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment ◽

Analysis Model ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder

AbstractBackground:Exaggerated illness and appearance concerns and related compulsive behaviors are seen in the psychiatric disorders of hypochondriasis (HYP), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It has been argued that these conditions may cluster in clinical samples and that our current categorical diagnostic policies, which assume independence of these disorders, are arbitrary and fail to capture the dimensional nature of these disorders.Methods:We present retrospective clinical data on 21 randomly selected patients who presented with symptoms that involved anxiety about illness and appearance and who were evaluated for cognitive-behavioral treatment or pharmacotherapy. We also review the symptoms, associated features, and response to treatment of three patients from the sample who were each diagnosed with all three of these disorders (HYP, BDD, and OCD).Results:Three patients met criteria for HYP, BDD, and OCD, and the other 18 patients met criteria for at least two of the above conditions. The most frequently reported source of anxiety had to do with one's hair. Nine out of the 12 patients treated with behavioral therapy were considered to be responders, and the one treated solely with medication was “very much improved.” Of the eight treated with a combination of behavioral therapy and medication, five were judged to be responders.Conclusions:Overlap in phenomenology, associated features, and treatment response suggests that these three disorders may be difficult to distinguish from each other and that a “cluster analysis” model may prove helpful in evaluating clinical samples.

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Obsessive–Compulsive and Related Disorders

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190634841.013.21 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Lara J. Farrell ◽

Sharna L. Mathieu ◽

Cassie Lavell

Keyword(s):

Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽

Psychological Treatment ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Repetitive Behaviors ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Empirically Supported Treatment ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Empirically Supported ◽

Evidence Based Treatments

Obsessive compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) in children and adolescents represent a cluster of conditions that significantly interfere in the lives of sufferers and their families. These disorders involve repetitive behaviors and often a preoccupation with distressing, obsessional thoughts. OCRDs include obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), hoarding disorder, trichotillomania, and excoriation disorder. The severity, functional impairment, and associated health conditions of these disorders call for timely evidence-based assessment and treatment. Evidence-based assessments include structured and semistructured interviews. Interviews allow for the assessment of symptoms, comorbid conditions, and differential diagnoses. Evidence-based psychological treatment for OCD and BDD in youth involves cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention; research is required to determine evidence-based assessment and treatments for less studied OCRDs; identify factors that predict poorer response to evidence-based treatment; develop approaches to augment evidence-based treatments for nonresponders; and further the reach of empirically supported treatment.

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The Oxford Handbook of Obsessive Compulsive and Spectrum Disorders

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195376210.001.0001 ◽

2012 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Processing ◽

Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Subject Area ◽

Tic Disorders ◽

Original Research ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Research Issues ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Spectrum Disorders

The Oxford Handbook of Obsessive Compulsive and Spectrum Disorders reviews current literature on obsessive compulsive disorder and its associated spectrum conditions—body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding, trichotillomania, tic disorders, and Tourette’s Syndrome. Articles summarize and synthesize current findings, providing an authoritative guide for practice and research in this unique subject area. With sections dedicated to phenomenology and epidemiology, biological features, genetic factors, neurological features, and cognitive processing models for understanding how people with OCD and spectrum conditions respond to information. Articles then examine family and social relationships and personality features, and how these factors can affect an individual with an OC spectrum disorder, especially older adults, children, and adolescents. Theoretical models for understanding these disorders and newer experimental therapies for treating them are also presented. A final article examines some of the most challenging research issues and understudied aspects of these psychiatric problems, especially hoarding, with hopes that this volume will encourage original research.

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