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JUVENIS vouchersBehavioral therapy for dysmorphophobia
Psychotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder
Who would describe themselves as flawlessly attractive? Who could claim to be completely without blemishes? Most women and men have more or less complaints about their external appearance and are constantly striving to optimize it. The pursuit of a perfect shell is understandable insofar as physical attractiveness is associated with numerous positive characteristics in our society. For example, pretty people are considered to have greater intelligence, social skills, etc., which opens up more opportunities for them both professionally and privately. However, when the preoccupation with one's own appearance occupies the entire mind, we speak of body dysmorphic disorder.
Treatments & therapies
At the JUVENIS Medical Center, competent psychotherapists and psychologists are available to assist you with the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder. Our range of therapies covers this field:
Psychotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder
PT for body dysmorphic disorder – Hilde Winkler, MA, and Dorothea Bertram, MA
However, if this preoccupation with one's own appearance described above becomes excessive and there is a subjective conviction - despite a normal appearance - that one is particularly ugly or deformed, then body dysmorphic disorder (or dysmorphophobia) is probably present. Those affected experience parts of their body as deformed and are convinced that other people also notice their flaws. In the presence of a minor abnormality, the concern is greatly exaggerated. The misperceptions often relate to the face, such as the nose, lips, eyes, ears, head shape or face color, the purity of the skin, but also to other body parts and features, such as body size, hands or stomach.
The disorder usually begins in adolescence. Men are affected almost as often as women. It is characterized by a constant preoccupation with the perceived disfigurement as well as severe suffering, including suicidal thoughts and attempts. In order to reduce the (sometimes obsessive) circling of thoughts, but also the associated tension, insecurity and helplessness, patients display numerous safety behaviors: They spend several hours a day in front of mirrors, use make-up, only wear certain clothes or make increased use of medical treatments, they photograph or film themselves non-stop in a wide variety of lighting conditions in order to check their perceived deformity - in the long term, all these efforts remain unsuccessful.
Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.
Recognizing and treating self-esteem issues
For fear that someone might see their blemish, those affected avoid various social events and withdraw at home. If the supposed "physical deformity" is apparently discovered by another person, the patient is plagued by strong feelings of shame and tries to leave the situation in a hurry. The core of the disorder is usually a pronounced self-esteem problem. In the course of their development, those affected have not succeeded in tapping into sources of self-worth other than their appearance. The mental preoccupation with the blemish, the constant control and avoidance behavior increasingly determine life, there is hardly any time left for other (professional or private) activities and experiences. In this respect, the disease also has a negative impact on the personality development of young patients.
By neglecting various other areas of life, those affected by body dysmorphic disorder experience increasing frustration and disappointment, which in turn has a negative impact on their self-esteem. They try to stabilize this again by improving their appearance, thus completing the vicious circle. If left untreated, there is a risk of chronic progression and a higher risk of developing another mental disorder (e.g. depression, anxiety disorder or alcohol abuse).
Treatment procedure
Each treatment is preceded by a detailed anamnesis and diagnosis (differential diagnosis). As part of the psychotherapy, an individual explanatory model is created which provides insight into the development of the disorder. This takes into account pre-existing risk factors (e.g. a conflict-ridden family environment, experiences of violence or abuse, exclusion and teasing by peers, inadequate coping strategies, low self-esteem, etc.) as well as triggers (various traumatic experiences).The causes (various traumatic experiences) and maintaining conditions (safety behaviors such as compulsively looking in the mirror, seeking reassurance, head coverings to hide the blemish, make-up, constant tanning of the skin or avoiding publicity, etc.) of the disease. Biological (e.g. obesity), social (e.g. repeated bullying by peers) and psychological (e.g. increased anxiety, lack of coping strategies) influencing factors and their interactions are given equal consideration. It is important for the therapy to determine the functionality of the disorder. For example, a patient's dysmorphophobia could hide a desire for affection and recognition or an attempt to prevent abandonment by optimizing their appearance.
Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.
Psychotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder (dysmorphophobia)
Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.
Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.
Costs
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 therapy session for body dysmorphic disorder (50 minutes) with Hilde Winkler or Dorothea Bertram | € 110 |
The usual frequency is one therapy session per week. The costs of "clinical psychological treatment" are not reimbursed by health insurance. Some private supplementary insurance policies often cover part of the costs—however, patients should check with their supplementary insurance provider. It is also possible to deduct clinical psychological treatment from your taxes as an extraordinary expense.
Integrative approach to dysmorphophobia
Integrative therapy approach with Mag. Sonja Knefel
Mag. Sonja Knefel's therapeutic approach is based on a combination of behavioral therapy elements such as cognitive restructuring (changing dysfunctional thought patterns), soft skills training, exposure (confronting fears), and behavioral activation with methods and strategies from depth psychology and systemic therapy in order to respond flexibly to patients' needs and apply various techniques in a targeted manner.
Studies show that integrative approaches often achieve better results than a single method. Tailoring therapy to the needs and goals of patients ensures more effective treatment.
Costs
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 therapy session for body dysmorphic disorder (50 minutes) with Mag. Sonja Knefel | € 180 |
The usual frequency is one therapy session per week. The costs of "clinical psychological treatment" are not reimbursed by health insurance. Some private supplementary insurance policies often cover part of the costs—however, patients should check with their supplementary insurance provider. It is also possible to deduct clinical psychological treatment from your taxes as an extraordinary expense.
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Responsible for the content of this page: Hilde Winkler, Dorothea Bertram, and Sonja Knefel