In a world obsessed with appearances, it is not surprising that Body Dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, has manifested itself as a troubling and relatively common problem for many individuals.
The Broken Mirror is literally a lifesaving handbook for sufferers, their families, and their doctors..
With treatment, many sufferers are able to lead normal lives.
Left untreated, the torment of BDD can lead to psychiatric hospitalization and sometimes suicide.
Four new chapters provide updated information on treatment of BDD, frequently obtained treatments to be avoided, and more detailed advice for family members and friends on how to cope with the disorder.
The author presents the stories and interviews of over 200 individuals to show the many different behaviors and symptoms of BDD, and includes a quick self-assessment questionnaire.
It is not an uncommon disorder, simply a hidden one, since sufferers are often embarrassed to tell even their closest friends about their concerns.
Others find their lives disintegrate because of their appearance obsessions.
Many sufferers are able to function well in society, but remain secretly obsessed by their "hideous acne" or "horrible nose," sneaking constant peeks at a pocket mirror, or spending hours at a time redoing makeup.
BDD causes sufferers to be obsessed by perceived flaws in their appearance and may afflict as much as two percent of the population, or nearly five million people.
Katharine Phillips draws on years of clinical practice, scientific research, and professional evaluations of over 700 patients to bring readers her expertise and experience with this often debilitating illness.
In The Broken Mirror, the first and most definitive book on BDD, Dr.
In a world obsessed with appearances, it is not surprising that Body Dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, has manifested itself as a troubling and relatively common problem for many individuals
