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A Single Subject Investigation Of Behavioral And Cognitive Therapies For Body Dysmorphic Disorder, April O'Grady

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a psychological disorder characterized by an intense preoccupation with an imagined physical defect, causes extreme distress and leads to depression, divorce, and suicide. Currently, empiricallysupported treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, however, one important component of treatment literature yet to be investigated is the relative efficacy of cognitive or behavior therapy as a sole treatment. In particular, examinations of change processes throughout the course of treatment are needed. Thus, the identification of necessary treatment components in the CBT package and the isolation of specific change processes could lead to a more streamlined and …