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Body Dysmorphic Disorder

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Conclusion

BDD is a very severe and chronic disorder that greatly impairs the individual. Many patients are unable to go to school or work, become homebound, suicidal and hospitalized. Most patients are secretive and do not reveal their symptoms unless asked. They are more likely to talk about social anxiety or depression rather than preoccupation with their appearance. BDD is considered part of the obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders and is treated very similarly to OCD, although BDD patients tend to have more overvalued ideas and depression. They respond to cognitive and behavior therapy as well as psychopharmacological treatment with SSRI’s. Usually a combination of all treatment modalities administered intensively, meaning several prolonged sessions is most effective.

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Neziroglu, F., Khemlani-Patel, S., Yaryura-Tobias, J.A. (2006). Body Dysmorphic Disorder. In: Fisher, J.E., O’Donohue, W.T. (eds) Practitioner’s Guide to Evidence-Based Psychotherapy. Springer, Boston, MA . https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-28370-8_13

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