People with BDD have very poor quality of life. Most feel distressed, don’t get much enjoyment or satisfaction from life, and have difficulty functioning at work, in school, socially, and in other important areas of their life. I’ve studied quality of life in my two series of people with BDD. Both studies used a standard [...]

Several studies have investigated whether body image improves when BDD is treated. Dr. Rosen’s study of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) evaluated body image before and after CBT treatment using a subscale of the MBSRQ. After treatment, the study participants felt more physically attractive and more satisfied with their appearance. In my study of fluoxetine versus [...]

Might BDD also involve certain brain regions—for example, regions that are rich in serotonin? That is, can subtle anomalies in certain brain structures be identified? Recent brain-imaging techniques have greatly advanced the search for abnormalities in brain structure and functioning in a variety of psychiatric disorders. To my knowledge, only one brain imaging study of [...]

The basis for the successful management of stress lies in our helping our brain to cope more effectively with the stream of disturbing impulses. Our brain sorts out the stream of impulses effectively if given moments of profound quietness, as in the meditation. Sleep works in a similar way but less effectively. Moments of profound [...]

Yearning Every now and then people come and consult me professionally, not because they are ill, but because they feel that they are missing out on something; they feel that their quality of life could be better. “Not a complaint for what I do not have; but a yearning for something better, and knowing that [...]

Irritable bowel syndrome «I have to be careful about everything I eat. Just terribly careful. If I am at home it’s OK. I eat what I know I can manage. Go out anywhere, eat something different and it’s terrible. Pains in the tummy. Diarrhea. The evening is a disaster. Better to stay at home. But [...]