The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic DisorderIn a world obsessed with appearances, it is not surprising that body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, has manifested itself as a troubling and relatively common problem for many individuals. In The Broken Mirror, the first and most definitive book on BDD, Dr. Katharine Phillips draws on years of clinical practice, scientific research, and professional evaluations of over 700 patients to bring readers her expertise and experience with this often debilitating illness. BDD causes sufferers to be obsessed by perceived flaws in their appearance and may afflict as much as two percent of the population, or nearly five million people. Many sufferers are able to function well in society, but remain secretly obsessed by their "hideous acne" or "horrible nose," sneaking constant peeks at a pocket mirror, or spending hours at a time redoing makeup. Others find their lives disintegrate because of their appearance obsessions. It is not an uncommon disorder, simply a hidden one, since sufferers are often embarrassed to tell even their closest friends about their concerns. The author presents the stories and interviews of over 200 individuals to show the many different behaviors and symptoms of BDD, and includes a quick self-assessment questionnaire. Four new chapters provide updated information on treatment of BDD, frequently obtained treatments to be avoided, and more detailed advice for family members and friends on how to cope with the disorder. Left untreated, the torment of BDD can lead to psychiatric hospitalization and sometimes suicide. With treatment, many sufferers are able to lead normal lives. The Broken Mirror is literally a lifesaving handbook for sufferers, their families, and their doctors. |
Contents
1 Why BDD Matters | 3 |
2 Patients Speak | 7 |
3 What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder? | 21 |
4 How Do I Know If I Have BDD? | 37 |
5 BDD Comes in Many Forms | 51 |
6 Painful Obsessions | 69 |
7 Mirror Checking Grooming Camouflaging Dieting and Other BDD Behaviors | 83 |
Social Avoidance Problems at Work and Suicide | 115 |
A Treatment Guide | 203 |
13 How to Successfully Treat BDD with Medication | 215 |
14 CognitiveBehavioral Therapy for BDD | 249 |
15 Treatments That Dont Work | 299 |
16 Anorexia Nervosa Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Koro and Other DisordersAre They Relatives of BDD? | 311 |
17 For Family Members and Friends | 335 |
18 Getting Help for BDD | 353 |
Appendixes | 367 |
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Common terms and phrases
acne adolescents anorexia anorexia nervosa antidepressant anxiety appearance concerns asked avoid BDD and OCD BDD sufferer BDD symptoms BDD's behavioral experiment beliefs better body areas body dysmorphic disorder body image brain buspirone cause Chapter citalopram clinical clomipramine cognitive restructuring cognitive-behavioral therapy depression dermatologist develop diagnosed distress dose eating disorder example excessive exposure face facial factors family members fear feel fluoxetine fluvoxamine focus focused functioning hair hours a day important improve Jennifer look okay makeup medication mirror checking muscle dysmorphia negative neuroleptic normal nose obsessive compulsive disorder pain patients perceived defect person with BDD Phillips preoccupation problem psychiatric disorders psychiatric treatment question reassurance respond rituals scar schizophrenia self-esteem serotonin severe BDD similar situations skin picking social phobia someone sometimes stop studies suicide surgeon surgery therapist things told treat BDD ugly usually woman women worry worse