© 2003 Oxford University Press
Therapeutic Approaches to Body Dysmorphic Disorder
From the Bio-Behavioral Institute (Neziroglu and Khemlani-Patel); from Hofstra University and New York University (Neziroglu).
Contact author: Fugen Neziroglu, PhD, Bio-Behavioral Institute, 935 Northern Boulevard, Suite 102, Great Neck, NY 11021. E-mail: neziroglu{at}aol.com.
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder characterized by an intense preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance. BDD has posed a challenge to mental health professionals as a result of its complex clinical presentation, involving issues such as high overvalued ideation, comorbidity, suicidality, and severe impairment in daily functioning. This article reviews the appropriate psychological and psychopharmacological treatment approaches for BDD, and it offers clinical strategies to address the multiple array of symptoms.
KEY WORDS: body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder, treatment, behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, psychopharmacological treatment