The latter techniques focus on breaking compulsive patterns, such as checking in the mirror and asking others for reassurance. In addition, social avoidance is countered by helping patients learn to deal with social situations that promote appearance anxiety. However, since many clinicians and family members may not yet recognize the warning signs of BDD, it is likely that a large number of those suffering have not received treatment. The role of family or friends in the recovery process is a complicated one. The therapist may ask them to resist responding to reassurance-seeking behavior on the part of the patient regarding appearance concerns.
Conflict is liable to arise out of attempts at assistance.
It is perhaps best that family and friends simply listen and offer support and defer any active modification attempts to the professional. He is on the editorial board of the International Journal of Eating Disorders.