Dysmorphophobic avoidance with disturbed bodily perception. A pilot study of exposure therapy

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Dysmorphophobia is a disabling condition characterized by distorted bodily perception and anxiety.
• Avoidance behaviors and anxiety reduction strategies are common in managing dysmorphophobia.

Observation:

• Five chronically disabled patients with dysmorphophobia underwent systematic exposure therapy.
• Patients were exposed to situations evoking dysmorphophobic discomfort and refrained from avoidance behaviors.

Findings:

• All five patients showed improvement in avoidance and anxiety levels.
• Associated bodily delusions also diminished as exposure therapy progressed.
• Four patients had comorbid conditions, with three receiving medication.

Implications:

• Exposure therapy shows promise for treating dysmorphophobia, including associated delusions.
• These pilot results support further investigation through controlled studies.
• Systematic exposure may be a viable therapeutic strategy for dysmorphophobic symptoms.