BDD-NET: An adaption of the online-therapy program for Body Dysmorphic Disorder for German speaking patients

Project management in location Zurich: Dr. Marie Drüge, Prof. Dr. Birgit Watzke
Cooperating Partners: Prof. Dr. Ulrike Buhlmann (Universität Münster), Dr. Jesper Enander und Prof. Dr. Christian Rück (Karolinska Institut Schweden)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychological disorder that is characterized by excessive preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance. Pioneering studies have shown effective treatment of BDD with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacological treatments. But only a small subgroup of affected patients (ca. 10-34%) receives such treatments.
Patients have named feelings of shame and stigma towards worried about their appearance as one obstacle of undergoing treatment. Following, online-based treatment with CBT represents an attractive treatment option for BDD. The program BDD-NET has already been found effective in other languages (English, Swedish). In the current study this program is to be adapted for German speaking patients. Thereby certain aspects (such as the role of the therapist) should also be further investigated so that the program can be expanded.