Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a relatively common disorder that consists of a distressing or impairing preoccupation with imagined or slight defects in appearance. It is important to recognize and appropriately treat BDD, as this disorder is associated with marked impairment in psychosocial functioning, notably poor quality of life and high suicidality rates. Herewith, we present a case of 44-year-old single unmarried male with chronic duration of preoccupation with imagined bodily defect with significant sociooccupational functioning. The patient was treated with multiple psychotropics, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a trial of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The response to treatment was almost negligible. The focus of discussion would be the presentation and treatment protocol followed in this resistant case.
Conroy M, Menard W, Fleming-Ives K, et al. Prevalence and clinical characteristics of body dysmorphic disorder in an adult inpatient setting. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2008;30(1):67–72. DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2007.09.004.
Phillips KA, Menard W, Pagano ME, et al. Delusional versus nondelusional body dysmorphic disorder: clinical features and course of illness. J Psychiatr Res 2006;40(2):95–104. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2005.08.005.
Phillips KA, Menard W, Fay C, et al. Psychosocial functioning and quality of life in body dysmorphic disorder. Compr Psychiatry 2005;46(4):254–260. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2004.10.004.
Hollander E, Soorya L, Chaplin W, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of fluoxetine for repetitive behaviors and global severity in adult autism spectrum disorders. Am J Psychiatry 2012;169(3):292–929. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10050764.
Phillips KA, Keshaviah A, Dougherty DD, et al. Pharmacotherapy relapse prevention in body dysmorphic disorder: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry 2016;173(9):887–895. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.15091243.
Mahato RS, San Gabriel MC, Longshore CT, et al. A case of treatment-resistant depression and body dysmorphic disorder: the role of electroconvulsive therapy tevisited. Innov Clin Neurosci 2016; 13(7–8):37–40.
Veale D. Cognitive behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder. Psychiatr Ann 2010;40(7):333–340. DOI: 10.3928/00485713-20100701-06.
Krebs G, Fernández de la Cruz L, Mataix-Cols D. Recent advances in understanding and managing body dysmorphic disorder. Evid Based Ment Health 2017;20(3):71–75. DOI: 10.1136/eb-2017-102702.
Linde J, Rück C, Bjureberg J, et al. Acceptance-based exposure therapy for body dysmorphic disorder: a pilot study. Behav Ther 2015;46(4):423–431. DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2015.05.002.
