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Acupuncture treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Since this disorder is somewhat uncommon, no wonder that there are no exact acupuncture treatment pr
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http://acupunctureanddisease.blogspot.com/2016/10/acupuncture-and-body-dysmorphic.html
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Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), occasionally still called dysmorphophobia, is a mental disorder characterized by the obsessive idea that some aspect of one’s own appearance is severely flawed and warrants exceptional measures to hide or fix it. It usually starts during adolescence, and affects men and women roughly equally.1 BDD’s cause is likely intricate, altogether biopsychosocial, through an interaction of multiple factors, including genetic, developmental, psychological, social, and cultural. BDD usually develops during early adolescence, although many patients note earlier trauma, abuse, neglect, teasing, or bullying.2

 

RESEARCH


Since this disorder is somewhat uncommon, no wonder that there are no exact acupuncture treatment protocol that can be given for people who suffer from this condition. However, since this disorder is related with mental health, then any other acupuncture treatment for mental health disorder could be used to treat people with BDD. Electroacupuncture and acupoints include the following GV-20, GV-16, GB-20, GV-14, PC-6, SP-6. Each 30-minute electroacupuncture session is recommended to be conducted every other day for six consecutive weeks.3

Other acupuncture treatment to improve mental health, which improve BDD include stimulating the following points: CV-12, CV-10, CV-6, CV-4, KD-13, CV-6. These acupuncture points benefit the internal organs, restore physiological function, promote qi circulation, and balance yin and yang. The acupuncture points on the kidney channel (KD-13) improve brain function and have a tranquilizing effect, thereby mitigating anxiety. Upon disinfection, 0.35 mm x 25 mm filiform acupuncture needles are to be inserted into each acupoint with qi regulating techniques. The needles should be retained for 30 minutes. One 30 minute acupuncture session is recommended twice per week for a total of 8 consecutive weeks.4

Given the severity and prevalence of mental illness in modern society, it is evident that improved treatment protocols and access to mental healthcare is of great import. Research now confirms that acupuncture has an important role in the mental healthcare system.5

Footnotes

  1. Body dysmorphic disorder – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181960/
  2. A Review of Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Its Presentation in Different Clinical Settings – nimh.nih.gov – 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3869603/
  3. Acupuncture Alleviates Depression and Anxiety – healthcmi.com – 2016, http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1678-acupuncture-alleviates-depression-and-anxiety
  4. Combined Acupuncture and Medication in Treating Depression – cnki.com.cn – 2011, http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTotal-SHZJ201106018.htm
  5. Combined Acupuncture and Medication in Treating Depression – cnki.com.cn – 2011, http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTotal-SHZJ201106018.htm