Bibliography #8

Wilhelm, Sabine. (2005). Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Retrieved March 3, 2008, http://www.massgeneral.org/bdd/pages/bddInfo.htm

This site is based on a research clinic in Massachusetts called, Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinic and Research Unit. This clinic offers and inside or outside setting for patients. They provide evaluations, consultations, and follow up procedures. This site includes more specific elements of cognitive behavior therapy, such as mirror retraining and activity scheduling. It also gives you specific questions on how to determine or at least of an idea or whether or not an individual is suffering from BDD. Many individuals go misdiagnosed or undiagnosed because they are ashamed or embarrassed of their condition. However, this clinic stresses the importance of reaching out for help because it is important to understand the disease and to have a better life.

Bibliography #7

Wikipedia contributors. (March 4, 2008). Body Dysmorhpic Disorder.
Retrieved March 4, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder

This article obviously discusses the various aspects of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, however it does focus on one aspect that no other source has covered yet. The history of BDD not only contains interesting information about BDD but re-emphasizes how unaware and “new” this disease is. BDD was first documents in 1886 by a researcher named Morselli who coined the term, “Dysmorphophobia.“ However, recognition of this disease didn’t truly come about until 1987. The American Psychiatric Association first recognized and recorded the disorder in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Technically, this disorder has only been recognized for about twenty years and therefore is not widely known.

Bibliography #6

Phillips, K.A. & Menard, W. (July 2006). Suicidality in Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Prospective. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/163/7/1280

This article is based on a study of suicidal tendencies of those who suffer from BDD. Research was conducted on 200 individuals of 12 years and older. The study found that the majority of individuals had a history of suicide attempts and were generally females. Including adjustments for age, gender, and location, completed suicide rate was 45 times higher than in general population.

Bibliography #5

Penzel, Frederick. (February 6, 2008). Behavioral Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Retrieved February 20, 2008, from
http://westsuffolkpsych.homestead.com/bdd.html
This source focuses directly on one aspect of BDD, which is an aspect I am going to argue in my paper. Through all of my research I have only found two different type of treatment, behavioral and antidepressant. Behavioral treatment is the topic of this site and explains in detail how this treatment is effective and how doctor’s are trying to advance treatment options and develop new ones. It helps readers to better understand this disease and recognize the type of attitude a sufferer must deal with when experiencing BDD. Exposure and response prevention is mainly what Dr. Penzel believes is effective for improvement.

Bibliography #4

Mayo Clinic Staff. (October 30, 2006). Body dimorphic disorder. Retrieved February 20, 2008, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/body- dysmorphic-disorder/DS00559/DSECTION=3

As with the previous source, this website includes aspects of BDD that are not often discussed or covered when finding information about it. A major issue that comes along with this disease is finding ways to cope with it. This site sets off a specific category for coping skills. Considering doctors and psychologists do not know a lot about BDD, coping skills are a necessity for those who suffer from BDD. Along with understanding the disease, they must also learn how to manage their lives while living with it. The listed coping skills in this site may seem simple and somewhat obvious, however they could make a drastic change in a sufferer’s life.

Bibliography #3

Hadley, Sallie. (2006). Pharmacologic Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Retrieved March 3, 2008, http://www.primarypsychiatry.com/aspx/articledetail.aspx?articleid=513

This source focuses entirely on the pharmacologic treatment of BDD. This treatment is the use of anti-depressants to help increase serotonin levels in the brain. A lot of research is shown in this site over the development and testing of these drugs on BDD patients. It also discusses other side effects that may come along with BDD, such as, BDD and OCD. Doctors consider BDD to be a form of OCD, however they are not the same disease. Although, some patients who are diagnosed with BDD, development symptoms of OCD due to stress levels and anxiety. This source shows graphs and charts that consist of the treatment options of BDD. One graph is an actual study that was conducted with different types of pharmacological treatments and patients.

Bibliography #2

BDDHelp. (March 2008). Beat BDD with BDDHelp.com. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from http://www.bddhelp.com/my_blog

This site is an online blog from an actual BDD survivor. She covers a variety of issues dealing with BDD with her first hand experience. She has online discussion boards and chat rooms where others who suffer from BDD openly discuss what it is like living a day in their shoes. I believe this will emotionally appeal to a reader because stories from this journal make the disease and the lives of the sufferers more real. She includes tips, information, and resources on how to improve the quality of life for a BDD sufferer.

Annotated Bibliography 1

1. Arthur, G.K. & Monell, K. (August 20, 2007). Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Retrieved February 20, 2008, from http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3124.htm

This source is very helpful and informative because it categorizes each aspect of BDD. One aspect this source covered that others have not is the relation between Body Dysmorphic Disorder and race, age, and sex. Although there have not been many studies over this view of BDD it is definitely interesting. This source shows that there is no known relation between race and BDD. Obviously the most common age for BDD to occur at is the adolescent years. Also, BDD effects men and women equally in symptoms and effects.

Vanquish Fear and Anxiety

Today I saw a website that dealt with treatments of BDD. I found one interesting method that I had yet to hear of. A home study cd program called Vanquish Fear and Anxiety was being advertised. Apparentley, this program teaches you how to control your emotions and five steps to confidence, calm, and happiness. What I found to be interesting was the claim that this product can relieve a patient of their disease in just 24 hours! This product also claimed to know about secrets that doctors dont even know about how fears and phobias actually work. Clearly this product is a scam and absolutely ridiculous. It's really pathetic to see that some people are actually trying to manipulate and make money off of individuals who have a serious, life threatening disease.
To check this product out go to:
http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/problem_detail.asp?SDID=6552:1945

Research Continued...

I was looking at sources today and came across some new, interesting information about Body Dysmorphic Disorder. First of all the majority of my research has been conducted in America and studied on Americans. But I found a European source today that had a story on there about how someone with BDD had surgery to remove their limbs because they thought they were too hideous. This story was absolutely outrageous, it really made me think that this disease is so real and so controlling that individuals are willing to lose their arms and legs over it. I also found that one in every fifty people have BDD, whether there case is severe or not. I just thought these were some interesting facts and thought I would share them. =)

BDD Clinic

Today when I was researching BDD I came across a website that talked about a clinic for BDD. I was unaware that there were clinics in the United States for this disorder. Apparently, The Los Angeles Body Dysmorphic Disorder & Body Image Clinic is the first BDD clinic on the West Coast of the United States that deals primarily with every aspect of BDD. This is the only clinic I have been able to find online so far that completely devotes the whole clinic to Body Dysmorphic Disorder. The clinic deals with the symptoms just as doctors do, depressionm, anxiety, OCD. They have an outpatient facility where the evaluate and treat BDD. They also have an intensive care program and medication management. I think this is a very good idea and it also helps spread awareness about this disease.

Surgical Treatment

Some patients believe that meeting with a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon may solve their BDD disorder. However, a patient who takes the surgical route is often more disgusted with the outcome and their symptoms are increased. Sometimes after procedures are completed, patients find a new feature to be concerned about. BDD patients are considered the worst patients to deal with. They insist the specialist's reassurance and repeated procedures. Even when advised to stay out of the operating room, BDD patients do not believe that further procedures are not needed. Doctor's often refuse to operate on patients who suffer from BDD because patients are usually expected to be dissatisfied and could therefore file lawsuits.

Race/Sex/Age of BDD

I havent been able to find any data that proves there is a consistent relationship between BDD and race. However, cultures and certain groups that place a higher emphasis on physical beauty may be more prone to having BDD. I did find some information on the BDD gender. Surprisingly, BDD affects men and women equally. Men however, that suffer from BDD are 50% more likely to be diagnosed with substance abuse. Women are more likely to suffer from panic attacks and anxiety and are more concerned with their breats and legs than any other body part. It is no surprise that BDD commonly develops amoung the younger generation. BDD commonly forms in adolescence and young adulthood. Teens 16-17 years old are at a common age where BDD is developed. However, an individual diagnosed with BDD could suffer for the rest of their lives because of this disease.

Locations of Imagined Defects

While looking on Wikipedia, I found statistics of the most common areas of patietns perceived flaws. I thought this was really interesting, however, Wikipedia got this information from the book The Broken Mirror.

skin (73%)
hair (56%)
nose (37%)
weight (22%)
stomach (22%)
breasts/chest/nipples (21%)
eyes (20%)
thighs (20%)
teeth (20%)
legs (overall) (18%)
body build / bone structure (16%)
ugly face (general) (14%)
lips (12%)
buttocks (12%)
chin (11%)
fingers (11%)
eyebrows (11%)

source: The Broken Mirror, Katharine A Philips, Oxford University Press, 2005 ed, p56

Development of BDD

BDD usually develops in early teen years, when teens are very preoccupied with their appearance. Patients often experience symptoms such as depression, OCD, or social anxiety. Because there is such a limited amount of information about this disease, people often do not realize they are suffering from it. A definite cause of BDD is unknown, however several factors may play into the development of this disease. A chemical imbalance in the brain is one possible factor. Low levels of serotonin may contribute to BDD. Obsessive compulsive disorder- BDD is thought to be a form of OCD because of the consistent rituals and habits of an individual diagnosed with BDD. Anxiety is also considered a factor of BDD. BDD may co-exist with any type of anxiety disorder. Anxiety and BDD involves non stop worrying that somewhat controls a patients daily life, it can cause exaggerated or unrealistic anxiety about certain situations or appearance, such as a defect of perceived flaw.

Treatment Of BDD

Studies have shown that psychodynamic therapy is proven to be ineffective for treating BDD. However, CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) proved to be more effective. A study was conducted using 54 patients, this study found that symptoms decreased dramatically in those who used CBT. In 82% of cases, BDD was eliminated at post treatment, 77% was eliminated at follow up. Another popular treatment is the use of antidepressants. In a controlled study of 74 subjects, the efficiency of fluoxetine hydrochloride, a SSRI drug was evaluated. Patients were chosen at random to receive 12 weeks of double treatment with fluoxetine or the placebo. At the end of the study, 53% of patients responded positively to the fluoxetine. BDD if left untreated can definitely worsen as time goes on. Treatment may now completely eliminate the disorder but it can certainly make it more bearable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder

Proposal Revision

My research project focuses on a growing disease called Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD. Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a psychological perception of a perceived flaw. This disorder comes with serious damage and is rapidly growing worldwide. Individuals diagnosed with BDD are constantly aware of their appearance. They obsess with their reflection in front of the mirror for hours and some refuse to go outside or be seen by anyone but themselves. I will mainly focus on the different types of treatment offered to those who suffer from BDD. However, I will use the other aspects such as causes, who it affects, and other issues as background information. I hope to accomplish various things with this paper. First off, my main goal is to obviously inform. I want to bring attention to this disorder because it is becoming mainstream. However, by being more informed my audience will be better equipped to deal with this disease whether because of their suffrage or a loved ones. It is becoming a widely known disease that needs to bring awareness. I will in fact argue that BDD needs more attention. This disorders is becoming more wide spread however, society and even doctors don’t know a lot about it. BDD should be just as common as OCD, ADD, etc. I will also argue the diagnosis process of this disease. As of right now the only definite way to diagnosis BDD is through a questionnaire given by a psychologist or psychiatrist. This is an ineffective way for a diagnosis because it is only based on behavior that could easily be associated with other types of disorders. Misdiagnosis could also mean mistreatment and would therefore be of no benefit to the patient and could possibly worsen the behavior. An uneducated individual may believe this disease isn't life threatening but it is controlling and detrimental enough that over 50% of individuals diagnosed with BDD commit or attempt suicide. I want to certainly point out the several different treatment options, entailing that there is hope when dealing with this disorder. The two most common treatment options are antidepressants and cognitive behavior therapy. SSRI's (selective seritonin ruptake inhibitors) help the effects of this disease by decreasing anxiety and alleviating other symptoms of BDD. Another treatment option is cognitive behavior therapy. This is a verbal therapy session that identifies the perceived flaw or parts of obsession and other destructive behaviors and replaces those thoughts and actions with a more positive behavior. This treatment emphasizes that only the diagnosed individual can change they way they think and act so they must learn to manage and cope with BDD first in order to get better. CBT also encourages for the patient to spend less time in front of the mirror and more time outside socializing. I also want to touch on the causes of BDD and who is more likely to be affected by it. I mainly want my audience to be informed and aware. As well as to realize this disease is not a form of selfishness or vanity.