Modular Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder

• Published in: Behavior therapy Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 624 - 633
• Main Authors: Wilhelm, Sabine, Phillips, Katharine A, Fama, Jeanne M, Greenberg, Jennifer L, Steketee, Gail
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2011; Elsevier; Academic Press
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Adults; Affect; BDD; Behavior Disorders; Behavior Modification; Behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Body dysmorphic disorder; Body Dysmorphic Disorders - psychology; Body Dysmorphic Disorders - therapy; Body Image; Cognitive behaviour therapy; Cognitive Restructuring; Cognitive therapy; Cognitive Therapy - methods; cognitive-behavioral therapy; Dropouts; Feasibility Studies; Feedback (Response); Female; Follow-Up Studies; Human Body; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Mental health care; Outcomes of Treatment; Patient satisfaction; Patients; Pilot Projects; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychosocial therapy; Selfreport; Somatoform disorders. Psychosomatics; Studies; Symptoms; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Therapy; treatment; Treatment Outcome; Treatments; treatment; cognitive-behavioral therapy; BDD; body image; body dysmorphic disorder; Human; Cognitive therapy; Behavior therapy; Treatment; Dysmorphophobia; Somatoform disorder
• ISSN: 0005-7894; 1878-1888
• DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2011.02.002

Abstract This study pilot tested a newly developed modular cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment manual for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). We tested feasibility, acceptability, and treatment outcome in a sample of 12 adults with primary BDD. Treatment was delivered in weekly individual sessions over 18 or 22 weeks. Standardized clinician ratings and self-report measures were used to assess BDD and related symptoms pre- and posttreatment and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. At posttreatment, BDD and related symptoms (e.g., mood) were significantly improved. Treatment gains were maintained at follow-up. A relatively low drop-out rate, high patient satisfaction ratings, and patient feedback indicated that the treatment was highly acceptable to patients. To our knowledge, this represents the first test of a broadly applicable, individual psychosocial treatment for BDD.