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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIn some cases, your health care provider, cosmetic dentist or surgeon, or other professional may ask you about your feelings about your appearance. Or you may decide to schedule an appointment with your family doctor or general practitioner to talk about your concerns. In either case, because body dysmorphic disorder often requires specialized care, you may be referred to a mental health provider, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, for evaluation and treatment. In other cases, you may seek out a mental health provider on your own first.
What you can do
Being an active participant in your care can help your efforts to manage your condition. One way to do this is by preparing for your appointment. Think about your needs and goals for treatment. Also, write down a list of questions to ask. These questions may include:
- Why can't I get over body dysmorphic disorder on my own?
- How do you treat body dysmorphic disorder?
- Will psychotherapy help?
- Are there medications that might help?
- How long will treatment take?
- What can I do to help myself?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me?
- What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to your prepared questions, don't hesitate to ask questions at any time during your appointment if you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
During your appointment, your doctor or mental health provider is likely to ask you a number of questions about your mood, thoughts and behavior, and how you perceive your appearance. You may be asked such questions as:
- When did you first notice symptoms?
- How is your daily life affected by your symptoms?
- How much time do you spend each day thinking about your appearance
- What other treatment, if any, have you had?
- What cosmetic procedures, if any, have you had?
- What have you tried on your own to feel better or control your symptoms?
- What things make you feel worse?
- Have friends or family commented on your mood or behavior?
- Have any relatives had a mental illness?
- What do you hope to gain from treatment?
- What medications or over-the-counter herbs and supplements do you take?
- 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.
