The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder [Hardcover]

Katharine A. Phillips M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2005

In a world obsessed with appearances, it is not surprising that body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, has manifested itself as a troubling and relatively common problem for many individuals. In The Broken Mirror, the first and most definitive book on BDD, Dr. Katharine Phillips draws on years of clinical practice, scientific research, and professional evaluations of over 700 patients to bring readers her expertise and experience with this often debilitating illness.
BDD causes sufferers to be obsessed by perceived flaws in their appearance and may afflict as much as two percent of the population, or nearly five million people. Many sufferers are able to function well in society, but remain secretly obsessed by their "hideous acne" or "horrible nose," sneaking constant peeks at a pocket mirror, or spending hours at a time redoing makeup. Others find their lives disintegrate because of their appearance obsessions. It is not an uncommon disorder, simply a hidden one, since sufferers are often embarrassed to tell even their closest friends about their concerns. The author presents the stories and interviews of over 200 individuals to show the many different behaviors and symptoms of BDD, and includes a quick self-assessment questionnaire. Four new chapters provide updated information on treatment of BDD, frequently obtained treatments to be avoided, and more detailed advice for family members and friends on how to cope with the disorder.
Left untreated, the torment of BDD can lead to psychiatric hospitalization and sometimes suicide. With treatment, many sufferers are able to lead normal lives. The Broken Mirror is literally a lifesaving handbook for sufferers, their families, and their doctors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dr. Phillips, our country's most experienced researcher and clinician in the area of body dysmorphic disorder, has written an impressive and very readable book that fills a gap in the medical literature. Clinicians and patients frequently ask what they can read to get a basic understanding of the techniques that have been successfully used to treat patients with this often disabling disorder. Until this book, there was not a comprehensive source."--Michael Jenike, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

"Nobody knows more about Body Dysmorphic Disorder than Dr. Phillips and her book, The Broken Mirror, will be invaluable to patients who suffer from the disorder, members of their family who do not know how to be helpful, and finally, to the clinician who wants to know the latest research evidence regarding the effectiveness of different treatment approaches."--Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, New York State Psychiatric Institute

"Dr. Phillips' book is a landmark in the recognition and treatment of imagined ugliness. This book, beautifully written, provides a great deal of hope for patients with body dysmorphic disorder and their family members and should help speed recovery for countless sufferers of this common, fascinating, and disabling illness."--Eric Hollander, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, The Mount Sinai Medical Center

"An important and seminal work. It breaks new ground. In addition, it is fascinating and fun to read. Hopefully it will help many people who have suffered in silence and in shame."--Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, M.D., University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

"One of psychiatry's special gifts is, occasionally, to give a public name to isolating forms of torment. The Broken Mirror offers that gift, as well as reason to hope, to those who worry obsessively about their appearance. Katherine Phillips provides an authoritative look at an underrecognized and devastating disorder."--Peter D. Kramer, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Brown University, and author of Listening to Prozac

"Countless people suffer silently from chronic preoccupations that parts of their bodies are ugly or deformed--yet do not realize that these disorders are common and that highly effective treatments are now available. Dr. Philips, a leading scholar in this area, provides a definitive presentation of body dysmorphic disorder and its treatment."--Harrison G. Pope, Jr., M.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and author of New Hope for Binge Eaters

"If one thinks that BDD might simply be a new age coinage for vanity, Phillips...makes a convincing case for taking a second look by drawing on years of clinical practice, research, and patient interviews."--Book News --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Katharine A. Phillips is RI Director of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Body Image Program at Butler Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, and Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University School of Medicine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Rev Exp edition (June 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019516718X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195167184
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,361,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Changed My Life, July 27, 2005

By 

M. Aherne (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder (Paperback)

I am a 26 year old woman who has struggled with BBD for many years. I thought I was absolutly crazy until I happend to pick this book up about 6 years ago and found that other people are just like me. It has forever changed me since then. It has given me a name for my actions and piece of mind knowing that I am not alone. I have found strength in this book and can now happily say that I am recovering and functioning again in society as a "normal" person. I was housebound for years and lived in my own created prison. I was literally trapped in the mirror and thought I was a monster and had to hide from the world. Now I know what I have and this book has helped my friends and family better understand my struggles. BBD is just now starting to be talked about, but when I bought this book it was a topic people didnt know about or discussed. Now when I watch TV I can point out others that probably have it too (the woman who was on Oprah who has ungone countless surgeries to look like a Barbie doll and Michael Jackson) maybe they too could get their life back if this was more known about. I see them and connect with them and want to help because I felt that pain once too. This book is a start about getting the word out there. The more information that is out there the better. Just knowing you have this is half of it and admiting to it. This book helped me do that.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good start, January 3, 2000

By 

Matt Sanborn (USA, Mass.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder (Hardcover)

The book itself provides an indepth look at BDD, my wife was recently diagnosed with the disorder. However, the book simply tells you about the symptoms and what the patient is going through. It provide little insight on obtaining help. My wife met with the author Katherine Phillips but was only offered a place in her new study for her new book. I feel that writing about the disorder is just that. Nobody seems to be offering a solution. For the price, it's a good book to share with freinds and family to help them understand the pain and stress the disorder puts on everday life. Thanks.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A close examination of body dysmorphic disorder, September 8, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder (Paperback)

Now in a revised and expanded edition, The Broken Mirror: Understanding And Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a close examination of body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, in which sufferers become so obsessed with perceived flaws in their appearance as to experience disruption or depression in their lives. All too often those afflicted with BDD are too embarrassed to speak of their concerns. Katharine Phillips, M.D., author and director of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Body Image Program at Butler Hospital in Rhode Island, brings her expertise to bear on this comprehensive general text for psychologists and lay readers alike. Chapters include testimonies of people with BDD, definitions and how to diagnose BDD, causes of BDD, how BDD can be treated with medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy, how BDD relates to anorexia nervosa, obsessive compulsive disorder and other conditions, advice for family members and friends of those with BDD, and more. Presenting a complex medical and psychological problem without straying into excessively technical language, The Broken Mirror is highly recommended.