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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffCoping with body dysmorphic disorder can be challenging because it's so distressful and affects many areas of your life. It also makes it hard to engage in the behavior and activities that may help you feel better. Talk to your doctor or therapist about improving your coping skills, and consider these tips to cope with body dysmorphic disorder:
- Write in a journal to express pain, anger, fear or other emotions.
- Don't become isolated. Try to participate in normal activities and get together with family or friends regularly.
- Take care of yourself by eating a healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep.
- Read reputable self-help books and consider talking about them to your doctor or therapist.
- Join a support group so that you can connect to others facing similar challenges.
- Stay focused on your goals. Recovery from body dysmorphic disorder is an ongoing process. Stay motivated by keeping your recovery goals in mind. Remind yourself that you're responsible for managing your illness and working toward your goals.
- Learn relaxation and stress management. Try such stress reduction techniques as meditation, yoga or tai chi.
- Don't make important decisions, such as having cosmetic surgery, when you're in the depths of despair or distress, since you may not be thinking clearly.
- Moore DP, et al. Body dysmorphic disorder. In: Moore DP, et al. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby, Inc.; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/107599999-2/0/1243/0.html. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Castle DJ, et al. An update on body dysmorphic disorder. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2006;19:74-78.
- Buescher LS, et al. Body dysmorphic disorder. Dermatologic Clinics. 2006;24:251-257.
- Body dysmorphic disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. Arlington, Va.:American Psychiatric Association, 2000. www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Hunt TJ, et al. The mirror lies: Body dysmorphic disorder. American Family Physician. 2008;78(2):217-222, 223-224.
- Phillips KA, et al. Body dysmorphic disorder: Treating an underrecognized disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;165(9).
- Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 17, 2008.
