Study of Patients With Body Image Issues Treated With 2 Different Behavioral Interventions

Summary

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a disabling condition that until recently has been largely ignored. Sufferers of BDD worry excessively and unreasonably about some flaw in their appearance that may be minimal or even nonexistent. These internalized body image distortions prompt sufferers to constantly check the perceived defects in mirrors, seek reassurance of their images from others, obtain unnecessary cosmetic and/or dermatological procedures, and even conduct self-surgeries. These obsessive concerns and compulsive behaviors cause significant emotional distress and often significantly interfere with global functioning. Currently, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in conjunction with psychopharmacology is the preferred treatment for BDD. In addition, two relatively new exposure techniques ("mirror retraining method" and "crooked mirror externalization therapy") that utilize mirrors to exaggerate the patient's imagined defect appear to increase the benefits of CBT. However, the treatment efficacies of these relatively novel methods have not been rigorously tested or methodologically compared. Although six out of seven patients treated with crooked mirror externalization therapy at the Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, Inc. demonstrated significant gains, the small sample size does not allow for any significant generalizations. Thus, the goals of this project are: 1) to determine the efficacy of exposure therapy that utilizes mirrors in the treatment of BDD, and 2) to evaluate the level of effectiveness of the mirror retraining method versus the crooked mirror externalization therapy. To accomplish these goals, each subject taking part in the study will do the following. They will go through an in-depth interview with the study physician, Dr. Kagan, and complete several clinical assessment questionnaires to confirm that they have BDD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). They will be assessed by the study independent evaluator and complete several paper-and-pencil tests to determine the severity of the BDD and if they have any cognitive difficulties. The subject will participate in 3 weeks of CBT with either the mirror retraining method or the crooked mirror externalization therapy. After the CBT, we will repeat the clinical assessment questionnaires and neurocognitive testing. From the difference between the before and after scores on all these tests, we will determine if there has been any change in the subject's BDD symptoms, and if so, the level of effectiveness between the mirror retraining method and the crooked mirror externalization therapy.

Conditions

• Body Dysmorphic Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Crooked Mirror Externalization Therapy

After subjects complete the pre-treatment assessments, the study therapist will meet with participants to design their treatment program. Treatment will be conducted every day for 15 days, Monday through Friday, for 90-minute sessions. In addition, as a part of therapy, subjects will complete homework assignments daily. Intensive CBT for BDD is done in the form of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with either the mirror retraining method or the crooked mirror externalization therapy. This involves prolonged and repeated exposures to images of the perceived defects, and prevention of ritualistic behavior (e.g., camouflaging with cosmetics, skin-picking, etc.).

BEHAVIORAL

Mirror Retraining Method

After subjects complete the pre-treatment assessments, the study therapist will meet with participants to design their treatment program. Treatment will be conducted every day for 15 days, Monday through Friday, for 90-minute sessions. In addition, as a part of therapy, subjects will complete homework assignments daily. Intensive CBT for BDD is done in the form of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with either the mirror retraining method or the crooked mirror externalization therapy. This involves prolonged and repeated exposures to images of the perceived defects, and prevention of ritualistic behavior (e.g., camouflaging with cosmetics, skin-picking, etc.).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, Inc

  lead INDUSTRY

Principal Investigators

• Eda Gorbis, PhD, LMFT · UCLA - DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY/BIOBEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2007-04-30

Primary Completion

2014-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations