Dysmorphophobia, more commonly known as body dysmorphic disorder, is a chronic mental condition where a person cannot quit thinking about flaws in his or her appearance. The flaw can be minor or non-existent but to the individual, they feel great shame and try to cover the flaw when out in public. The obsession causes the person great deals of distress and can impact how they function in daily life; these individuals may go as far as seeking surgical fixes to the perceived problems but will never be completely satisfied with the results.
Causes
Like many other mental illnesses, the exact cause is hard to pinpoint, but is thought to be caused by a couple of factors that include:
• Abnormalities in the brain or the neurotransmitters.
• There could be a genetic link if members of the same family share…show more content… The medications are to help control any anxiety or depressive symptoms associated with the condition.
Nursing Interventions
1. Use therapeutic communication and touch to establish trust with client. Rationale: trust enhances interactions between the nurse and client and will make the client more likely to comply.
2. Recognize and accept the complaints of the client because it is real to them. Rationale: negative attitude will impact the ability to build rapport with the client and limit his or her desire to move forward with treatment.
3. Identify the perceived distortions the client has about his or her own body. Rationale: identify and then correct inaccuracies in non-threatening ways.
4. Minimize the attention given to physical complaints. Rationale: lack of attention will encourage the client to stop the negative behavior.
5. Encourage the client to verbalize anxiety or fears or worries. Rationale: communication is important and will help the client