Background: This workshop is designed to educate clinicians about the complexities of working with clients with BDD. We will discuss how to assess for BDD, how it overlaps with eating disorders, why individuals develop the disorder, and evidence-based treatments for BDD. In addition, we will discuss both overt and subtle safety and treatment interfering behaviors which contribute to and maintain the disorder. A case presentation, as well as hands on exercises and exposures will be incorporated into the workshop.
Objectives:
- Following this presentation, participants will be able to identify, utilize and explain how to successfully assess for BDD, understand how it overlaps with and differs from eating disorders, OCD, trichotillomania, and excoriation disorder.
- Following this presentation, participants will be able to identify, utilize and explain at least three treatment interfering behaviors which contribute to and maintain BDD.
- Following this presentation, participants will be able to identify, utilize and explain how to incorporate cognitive, nutritional, psychopharmacological, as well as hands-on concrete behavioral interventions to treat clients with BDD.
- The presenters will introduce the diagnostic criteria for body dysmorphic (BDD)
- Important statistics which pertain to BDD will be presented (there will be an appendix with additional statistics at the end of the presentation)
- Similarities and differences between BDD and other related disorders like eating disorders, muscle dysmorphia and OCD will be presented
- The presenters will identify most common body areas of concern that individuals with BDD obsess about
- Common BDD behaviors such as camouflaging, mirror checking, cosmetic surgery, etc. will be presented.
- The presenters will outline how to effectively assess for BDD, and how it can be easily misdiagnosed for other disorders
- The biopsychosocial model as it related to BDD will be presented, as well as triggers which may contribute to the onset, or exacerbate the disorder
- Several evidence-based treatment modalities such as CBT, mindfulness and ACT, will be discussed. During this in-depth discussion, the presenters will detail a 5-step CBT treatment model for individuals with BDD, along with a case study. The 5-step treatment model includes:
- Response prevention
- Cognitive restructuring
- Behavioral experiments
- Exposure
- Relapse prevention
The case study will include treatment from a therapeutic, psychopharmacological and nutritional perspective.
- Nutrition therapy will be reviewed based on co-morbid disorders to the diagnosis of BDD.
- Researched psychopharmacological treatments will be presented based on the most current literature.
- At the end of the treatment portion of the presentation, an experiential mirror re-training exercise with audience participation will conducted.
- The presenters will describe what treatments do not work for individuals with BDD
- The workshop will conclude with questions from the audience
Karen is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) with over 10 years of experience treating clients with a wide range of diagnoses. She specializes in treating adults (ages 18 and older) who are dealing with personal and professional stress and uses CBT extensively in her practice. She incorporates mindfulness and stress management techniques to help client decrease stress levels and anxiety. Prior to opening her private practice, she worked in an outpatient clinic where she treated children, adults, and families with a history of trauma.
Robyn has over 20 years of experience as a dietitian and nurse practitioner. She has been in private practice both part time and full time in addition to multiple other clinical work environments. She sees primarily eating disorders and athletes for nutrition and when necessary provides concomitant psychopharamacologic treatment. Robyn was medical liaison for International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals metro-Boston chapter for three years and has served as a nutrition expert to the American College Health Association. Robyn has appeared live on both television and radio and has been quoted in national and local media.
