body dysmorphia

Any suggestions in coping with body dysmporphia for a 30 year old woman whose main focus is on hair? Also been having signs of physical problems lately without organic symptoms...doctors have no answers. Could this be somataform disorder? I'm getting very frustrated.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

As you may have seen from my previous answers in this forum, I am not a fan of labelling, but more interested in the dynamics of what is happening, and what can be done about it.

Preoccuppation with your hair is another sign of underlying anxiety (displaced) as are,probably, the physical problems.

The focus should be on the source of stress and what you can do about it.  Something in your life isn't working well...conscious attention to that is your best remedy.

If you are not in therapy for this now, you can get started thinking along these lines by going to my masteringstress program(link above) that is designed for just that.

[peonygirl]

Hi Sue,

There is a book called The Broken Mirror by Dr.Katharine A.Phillips. It is very helpful in understanding/explaining about BDD and contains treatment information. Not too long ago I took part in a BDD study conducted by Dr. Phillips at Brown University in Rhode Island. Dr.Philips is a very good doctor and was very helpful to me. You can get in touch with her through Brown University's website. Hope this information is of help. Good luck.