Sabina Brohede1,2, Barbro Wijma3, Klaas Wijma1, Karin Blomberg4. 1. a Unit of Medical Psychology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden ; 2. b Department of Paediatrics and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden ; 3. c Gender and Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden ; 4. d Faculty of Medicine and Health , School of Health Sciences, Örebro University , Örebro , Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of patients living with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), including their experiences with the health care system. METHODS: Fifteen individuals with BDD were interviewed, and interpretive description was used to analyse the interviews. RESULTS: The following six themes were identified: being absorbed in time-consuming procedures, facing tension between one's own ideal and the perceived reality, becoming the disorder, being restricted in life, attempting to reduce one's problems and striving to receive care. The overarching concept derived from the themes was feeling imprisoned - struggling to become free and to no longer feel abnormal. CONCLUSIONS: Ideas of imprisonment and abnormality compose the entire experience of living with this disorder. Although the participants suffered greatly from their BDD, these patients encountered difficulties in accessing health care and had disappointing experiences during their encounters with the health care system. Therefore, it is important to increase awareness and knowledge of BDD among health care professionals to ensure that patients with BDD receive the appropriate care.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of patients living with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), including their experiences with the health care system. METHODS: Fifteen individuals with BDD were interviewed, and interpretive description was used to analyse the interviews. RESULTS: The following six themes were identified: being absorbed in time-consuming procedures, facing tension between one's own ideal and the perceived reality, becoming the disorder, being restricted in life, attempting to reduce one's problems and striving to receive care. The overarching concept derived from the themes was feeling imprisoned - struggling to become free and to no longer feel abnormal. CONCLUSIONS: Ideas of imprisonment and abnormality compose the entire experience of living with this disorder. Although the participants suffered greatly from their BDD, these patients encountered difficulties in accessing health care and had disappointing experiences during their encounters with the health care system. Therefore, it is important to increase awareness and knowledge of BDD among health care professionals to ensure that patients with BDD receive the appropriate care.
Entities:
Keywords:
Body dysmorphic disorder; body image; interview; qualitative research
Authors: Oskar Flygare; Jesper Enander; Erik Andersson; Brjánn Ljótsson; Volen Z Ivanov; David Mataix-Cols; Christian Rück Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2020-05-19 Impact factor: 3.630