A case study of cognitive behavioral therapy for delusional body dysmorphic disorder

Abstract

The paper presents the Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy used to modify the delusional beliefs and the emotional and functional consequences of a patient with a dismorphobic delusional disorder. The method included the following techniques: empirical, logical and functional discussion, verification of the reality and satiation. PANSS, dimensional measures of the extent of conviction, concerns about the belief, and subjective scales of anxiety and mood were used as measures of the results. The conviction about the belief disappeared. There was also an improvement in the emotional disturbances and in the social functioning. These changes kept up stable in his 12, 24 and 36 months follow up after the therapy. We reflect on the need of a long term psychological follow up for the intervention on the psychosis.