212 pg, paper, ‘06

For men or women whose have excessive concerns about appearance--ranging from grooming rituals and poor body image to more serious problems like body dysmorphic disorder--this self-help program is a clear and practical resource. Based on cognitive-behavioral therapy with an emphasis on defeating negative self-talk, it covers freeing yourself from rituals, response prevention, getting at core beliefs, and medication options, using assessment tools, worksheets, and exercises.

CONTENTS:

1 – For the Sake of Appearance
2 – “Why Do I Feel So Unattractive?”
3 – Thinking About Change
4 – Understanding Your Problems and Planning Solutions
5 – Managing Your Thoughts
6 – Getting Your Life Back With Exposure Exercises
7 – Freeing Yourself from Rituals with Response Prevention Exercises
8 – Getting at Your Core Beliefs
9 – Staying Well
10 – “Should I Take Medication?”
11 – Helping a Family Member or Friend with Body Image Concerns

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sabine Wilhelm, PhD, founder and director of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinic (BDD) and Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, is Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She is internationally recognized as a leading researcher in BDD, a distressing level of dissatisfaction with one's body, and is the principal investigator of two studies investigating treatments for the disorder funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. She lives with her family near Boston.

REVIEWS:

"Millions of people suffer from body image concerns. Some are paralyzed by them. Here, Dr. Sabine Wilhelm offers a systematic, scientifically based program of self-treatment. For many, this will be a welcome alternative to expensive professional therapy."
— Harrison G. Pope Jr., MD, Harvard Medical School; coauthor of The Adonis Complex

"Dr. Wilhelm, one of the few experts on the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), has written a landmark book for the millions who suffer from this underrecognized and often disabling illness. For those struggling to overcome the torment of BDD, this book offers invaluable guidance and hope."
— Katharine A. Phillips, MD, Brown Medical School, author of The Broken Mirror