Appearance-related safety behaviors predict symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder following internet-based treatment

Body Image. 2023 May 25;46:84-90. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.05.004. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTRecent experimental evidence has found that appearance related safety behaviors (i.e., practices meant to avoid a perceived feared outcome) likely play a crucial role in maintaining symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). The present study sought to determine if these behaviors predicted BDD symptom severity following treatment. Participants (N = 50) with BDD were randomized to either eight sessions of interpretation bias modification or progressive muscle relaxation. Both treatments led to reductions in BDD symptom severity and appearance-related safety behaviors, though moderate levels of safety behaviors persisted at both posttreatment and follow-up. Importantly, post-treatment appearance related safety behaviors significantly predicted BDD symptom severity at three-month follow-up. Taken together, the present findings suggest appearance related safety behaviors maintain BDD symptoms following effective computerized treatments and provide further evidence for their importance in the treatment of BDD.PMID:37245382 | DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.05.004
Source: Body Image - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Source Type: research