ADVICE ON BODY DISMORPHIC DISORDER...

[kaley]

hi everyone. I wonder if anyone has any knowledge and or advice on body dismorphic disorder.my mother has been very unwell with depp since oct of last year.Approx 2 months ago she attempted sucide.She has been on citrapram(i think that is how u spell it) for approx 6 weeks but they are causing extreme anxiety.she is 67 years old.After much talking with her she has told me that she feels ugly.She feels that when she looks in the mirror all she sees is a "disfigured" face.She has told me she has battled against it all her life.she has just fallen apart. The psychiatric nurse involved has doagnosed b d disorder and arranged for some councelling.She isnt keen as she just want to carry on talking to me.I have tried explaing to her that its to close for me as her daughter to be able to councel her,also, i am a single mum and my eldest has aspergers syndrome.So the last 4 onths have been very stressful.Does anyone know anything about body dismorphic disorder,can it be cured, and given my mothers age,will the depp take longer then someone younger to lift.any info or advice would be welcome. thanx.

kaley

[Karen]

Hi Kaley

Welcome to the forum. It does sound like your mum needs some professional help with this and although your support is important to her, it is a condition that needs specialist help.

This article contains some useful information and there is some further information here.

I don't have BDD as such, but do experience body dysmorphia as part of an eating disorder and it is very difficult to explain to anyone how it causes me to feel. It is like seeing myself through a distorted mirror because I have a very different view of myself to how other people see me. No amount of rational argument helps me to see myself any differently and I struggle with this on a daily basis.

I hope your mum gets the profession help and support she needs.

Karen



Happiness is not a state to arrive at but a manner of travelling.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough ~ Christine Cagney, Cagney & Lacey

[kaley]

Thanks karen for your reply. I read the article on bdd and found it very useful.You are right, she def needs prof help,which is in the process of being set up.I just hope she will be able to beat it.I hope u are keeping well,I myself suff with anorexic tendancies in the past so I know a little about what that is like.

Thanx once again.take care,kaley.

kaley

[blondeangel]

hi kaley...
I found some information on a website that might me useful for you about the disorder, and treatment:

Body Dysmorphic Disorder, (BDD) is listed in the DSM-IV under somatization disorders, but clinically, it seems to have similarities to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

BDD is a preoccupation with an imagined physical defect in appearance or a vastly exaggerated concern about a minimal defect. The preoccupation must cause significant impairment in the individual’s life. The individual thinks about his or her defect for at least an hour per day.

The individual’s obsessive concern most often is concerned with facial features, hair or odor. The disorder often begins in adolescence, becomes chronic and leads to a great deal of internal suffering.

The person may fear ridicule in social situations, and may consult many dermatologists or plastic surgeons and undergo painful or risky procedures to try to change the perceived defect. The medical procedures rarely produce relief. Indeed they often lead to a worsening of symptoms. BDD may limit friendships. Obsessive ruminations about appearance may make it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork.

Other behaviors that may be associated with BDD

Frequent glancing in reflective surfaces
Skin picking
Avoiding mirrors
Repeatedly measuring or palpating the defect
Repeated requests for reassurance about the defect.
Elaborate grooming rituals.
Camouflaging some aspect of one’s appearance with one’s hand, a hat, or makeup.
Repeated touching of the defect
Avoiding social situations where the defect might be seen by others.
Anxiety when with other people.
BDD tends to be chronic and can lead to social isolation, school dropout major depression, unnecessary surgery and even suicide.

It is often associated with social phobia and OCD, and delusional disorder. Chronic BDD can lead to major depressive disorder. If it is associated with delusions, it is reclassified as Delusional disorder, somatic subtype. Bromosis (excessive concerns about body odor) or Parasitosis (concern that one is infested by parasites) can classically be associated with delusions.

Other conditions that might be confused with BDD: Neglect caused by a parietal lobe brain lesion; anorexia nervosa, gender identity disorder.

Milder body image disturbances that do not meet criteria for BDD. :

Benign dissatisfaction with one’s looks. This does not affect the person’s quality of life. 30-40% of Americans may have these feelings.
Moderate disturbance with one’s body image. The person’s concerns about appearance cause some intermittent anxiety or depression.
Treatment: It is at times difficult to get an individual with BDD into psychiatric treatment because he or she may insist that the disorder has a physical origin. We prefer that the referring physician call us in advance so that we can strategize on how best to encourage the individual to accept help. Treatment often involves the use of SSRI medications (such as sertraline or fluoxetine) and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. In this type of psychotherapy the therapist helps the affected individual resist the compulsions associated with the BDD such as repeatedly looking in mirrors or excessive grooming (response prevention) If the individual avoids certain situations because of fear of ridicule, he or she should be encouraged to gradually and progressively face feared situations. If the individual plans to seek invasive medical/surgical treatment, the therapist should attempt to dissuade the patient or ask permission to talk with the surgeon. The therapist helps the individual to understand how some of his or her thoughts and perceptions are distorted and helps the patient replace these perceptions with more realistic ones. Family behavioral treatment can be useful, especially if the affected individual is an adolescent. Support groups if available, can help.

For more information, read The Broken Mirror or Learning to Live with Body Dysmorphic Disorder by Katharine

[daffodil]

Hi,
I've been suffering from severe BDD (with OCD) for about 15 years and I can well understand all your worrying about your mom's conditions and your need to find help.
I consider this the most exaustive website about the disorder:
www.bddcentral.com
Here u can find also a list of most expert physicians in US sorted by area. Hope u can find soon someone who may give your mom and the whole family some relief.

Best wishes
daffodil