half day workshop

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY FOR BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
David Veale, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom

Princess Hotel Room: Estrella del Mar

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is defined as a preoccupation with an “imagined” defect in one’s appearance. Alternatively, where there is a slight physical anomaly, then the person’s concern is markedly excessive. The preoccupation is associated with a constructed body image with many time consuming safety behaviours such as mirror gazing, camouflaging or constant comparing of oneself to others. Such patients have a poor quality of life, are socially isolated, often depressed and are at high risk of committing suicide. They often have needless dermatological treatment and cosmetic surgery. Cognitive behaviour therapy offers a promising treatment.

David Veale, FRCPsych is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at the South London and Maudsley Trust The Priory Hospital North London and an Hon Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, London. He is currently President of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. He has published about 50 articles and one self-help book mainly in OCD and BDD.

Key References:
Veale, D. (2004) Advances in a cognitive behavioural model of body dysmorphic disorder. Body Image, 1:113-125
Veale, D, Neziroglu, F. (forthcoming) Body Dysmorphic Disorder: a treatment manual. Wiley, Chichester.      
National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (2006). Obsessive compulsive disorder: Core interventions in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder.  London:  Gaskell and BPS.