Tag Archives: cannabis

Substance Abuse in BDD

Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

drugs

Statistics of SUD (Substance use disorder) in BDD (Body dysmorphic disorder) patients:

  • Males > Females = 2:1
  • Younger patients more prone to develop SUD
  • Nearly half of BDD subjects in this study had a lifetime SUD
  • Order of onset
    • BDD first = 60%
    • BDD + SUD concurrently = 21%
    • SUD first = 19%
  • 68% report that BDD contributed to SUD
  • 30% report BDD as main reason for SUD
  • Higher rates of suicide attempts

Why?

  • Attempt to cope with BDD by using alcohol or drugs
  • Decrease the preoccupation
  • Ease the emotional pain
  • Lessen anxiety and self-consciousness in social situations

Case Study – Adam

“You might not believe this, but my alcohol and drug abuse problems were totally and completely due to my appearance problem. A lot of counselors have told me that’s just an excuse, but I think they’re wrong. It was a crazy way I tried to block the pain of my obsessions, and it never worked. I tried to numb myself to my perception of my body, but it didn’t change. It actually made the pain over my appearance worries worse.”

Treatment

Studies found that some patients might not reveal their BDD symptoms to their clinician because of embarrassment and shame, which highly undermine the successfulness of the corresponding treatment and therapy.

With a focus to treat patients who are struggling with both BDD and SUD, the Los Angeles BDD & Body Image Clinic developed an integrated addiction medicine track which is customized to the needs of each client. Treatment involves individual and group psychotherapy as well as medication management as appropriate.

References:

Grant, J. E., Menard, W., Pagano, M. E., Fay, C., & Phillips, K. A. (2005). Substance use disorders in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 66(3), 309.

Gunstad, J., & Phillips, K. A. (2003). Axis I comorbidity in body dysmorphic disorder. Comprehensive psychiatry, 44(4), 270-276.

Phillips, K. A., Menard, W., Fay, C., & Weisberg, R. (2005). Demographic characteristics, phenomenology, comorbidity, and family history in 200 individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. Psychosomatics, 46(4), 317-325.