The application of paradox therapy for the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder: a case report

As a debilitating clinical condition, if Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is untreated will turn to a chronic illness. Therefore, the treatment of BDD is considered as an urgent clinical need.

Introduction of the principles and techniques of a new psychotherapeutic model for the treatment of psychological disorders, shortly named PTC (Paradox + Timetable = Cure), is one of the objectives if this paper. Evaluating the effectiveness of PTC model for the treatment of BDD is the second objective.

The present study is an evidence-based clinical case study. The PTC therapy process and outcomes for a 33-year old woman suffering from BDD is fully described in the present article.

Results of a five-session PTC therapy for the patient indicated that the treatment outcomes were completely successful. A 24- and 36-month follow-up also revealed that the therapeutic changes were stable and continued during which no relapse was happened. Treatment outcomes for the patient confirm the deep and permanent effects of the PTC psychotherapeutic model in the shortest possible time for the treatment of BDD. The influential mechanisms of “paradoxical timetable” and its adjustment to the treatment outcomes of the patient are explained in the present article.

The PTC psychotherapeutic model, as a very short-term, simple, effective, efficient, and yet economical approach is introduced and suggested for the treatment of BDD.