Re: BDD - Body Dysmorphic disorder

I'm sorry things are so difficult with your daughter. I have read your note, and must refrain from answering specifically as to this case, because this isn't a clinical forum, but a professional one. You and your daughter deserve appropriate work up and evaluation, plus effective treatment.

What I can do here, however, in hopes it helps, is to say a few things in general about BDD. Body Dysmorphic Disorder is an interesting condition that sometimes appears for the first time in adolescence. It has some things in common with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, in that there are overvalued ideas that preoccupy attention and interfere with behavior and functioning. BDD sometimes also resembles a delusional disorder, in that the beliefs can be quite rigid and intractable. (I do not know whether this applies to your daughter).

There are no controlled studies of EMDR with BDD, but I do know of several case reports with varying degrees of success. I do not think it is guaranteed that EMDR would help with this disorder, but it is worth a try. It is likely to help at least as far as it could decompress levels of anxiety and stress. If there is any unresolved trauma or anger about past events, it could take the pressure off from those symptoms. It is possible, though not certain, that this would decompress the rigidity of the beliefs as well.

If you seek a referral to try EMDR for your daughter, you could check www.EMDRIA.org or www.EMDR.com and ask for a referral to someone in your area who is very experienced with EMDR and works with children.

Replies:

Re: BDD - Body Dysmorphic disorder, by David S., 4/28/00 Re: BDD - Body Dysmorphic disorder, by Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D., 4/28/00

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