Treatment utilization and barriers to treatment engagement among people with body dysmorphic symptoms

Abstract Objectives Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with an imagined or minor appearance flaw. Many aspects of BDD remain unknown, such as rates of treatment utilization, types of treatment sought, and barriers to treatment. The present study sought to e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychosomatic research 2011-03, Vol.70 (3), p.286-293
Main Authors: Marques, Luana, Weingarden, Hilary M, LeBlanc, Nicole J, Wilhelm, Sabine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Appearance
Barriers to treatment
Biological and medical sciences
Body dysmorphic disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Body Dysmorphic Disorders - therapy
Body Image
Delivery of Health Care - utilization
Female
Health Services Accessibility
Helpseeking
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Preoccupation
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Somatoform disorders. Psychosomatics
Stigmatization
Surveys and Questionnaires
Symptoms
Treatment utilization
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Summary:Abstract Objectives Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with an imagined or minor appearance flaw. Many aspects of BDD remain unknown, such as rates of treatment utilization, types of treatment sought, and barriers to treatment. The present study sought to examine rates and patterns of treatment utilization as well as barriers to treatment among individuals with body dysmorphic symptoms. Methods The present study consists of 401 individuals with symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of BDD who completed self-reported measures of treatment utilization and barriers to treatment in an internet survey. Results Consistent with past research, results showed that individuals with probable BDD reported seeking non-mental health treatments for BDD (e.g., plastic surgery). Additionally, an examination of treatment barriers demonstrated significant barriers for the sample for the three domains examined: logistic and financial; stigma, shame, and discrimination; and treatment skepticism. Secondary analyses revealed a differential endorsement of treatment barriers across ethnic groups for all three barrier domains. Conclusion These data suggest that BDD is still an underrecognized disorder with marked barriers to treatment. Increased education and dissemination efforts are warranted.
ISSN:0022-3999
1879-1360
DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2010.10.002