Results of long-term observation (3-11 years) of patients with dual diagnosis: body dysmorphic disorder and delusional disorder, somatic type
Rabe-Jabłońska, J.
Psychiatria Polska 32(2): 143-153
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2674 PMID: 9640983 Document Number: 486806
This work presents results of a retrospective and prospective research of 15 persons with a double diagnosis: body dysmorphic disorder, and delusional disorder, somatic type. It was established that these disorders starting in adolescence, occurred in persons who earlier had traits of avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality or social phobia. In most subjects with dysmorphophobia there was comorbidity of dysthymia or major depression. An improvement in the state of these patients, most often after implementation of complex therapeutic measures: psychotherapy as well as pharmacotherapy with neuroleptic and SSRI's or clomipramine has to do with withdrawal of delusions, whereas the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder usually last for years. In some patients delusional disorders had a tendency to reoccur or to be chronic, and lead to a considerable impairment of social functioning.