Body dysmorphic disorder: A systematic review of treatment and management
16th World Congress on Psychiatry and Psychological Syndromes
April 24-25, 2017 Las Vegas, USA

Heela Azizi, Alexa Blair Kahn, Tamir S Aldad, Eric Hollander, Esha Gurnani and Megan Hophing

American University of Antigua, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Objective: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a severe psychiatric disorder that affects many around the world. Patients with BDD exhibit a preoccupation with one or more perceived defects in their physical appearance which is exacerbated by poor insight and delusions regarding the perceived bodily flaw. BDD is more prevalent in an all clinical setting than in the general community population, but goes undiagnosed due to lack of screening for the disorder. Therefore, this literature review is aimed to determine most effective treatment for BDD. Method: A systematic literature review was piloted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase and the American Psychological Association PsycINFO to determine the most effective treatment for BDD. Results: We found that serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are efficacious in treating body dysmorphic disorder. Randomized control studies found both SSRIs and CBT (especially with imagery restructuring) to be successful in treating BDD if used for longer than six months. Recent case studies suggest electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and adjunctive antipsychotic use are viable treatment modalities for treatment resistant BDD. Conclusions: SSRIs are the recommended pharmacologic agent for treatment, primarily fluoxetine. It should be continued for 12-16 weeks although increasing the medication to maximum dose for additional 24 weeks duration is more appropriate. Furthermore, newer research has shown imagery restructuring as an efficacious treatment for mild to moderate BDD as it is faster than CBT and can give patients more insight on the disorder.

Biography :

Heela Azizi is currently a Medical student at the American University of Antigua. She has received her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Urbana University and her Masters in Health Administration from Franklin University.

Alexa Blair Kahn is currently a Medical student at American University of Antigua. She has received her Bachelor’s degree of Science in Biology and minor in Global Health, Culture and Society from Emory University.

Email: Heelaa@auamed.net