Cosmetic Surgical and Minimally Invasive Treatments

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the literature of the psychosocial issues most relevant to cosmetic medical treatments, including both surgical and minimally invasive treatments. The article begins with a discussion of the popularity of cosmetic medical treatments. This includes a discussion of the sociocultural factors that have contributed to the growth of these procedures in Western societies as well as the psychological factors that motivate the individual patient. The psychiatric conditions most commonly seen in these patients are described and the studies that have investigated changes in psychosocial status are reviewed. The article concludes with a discussion of how mental health professionals and physicians can work together to identify patients who are psychologically appropriate for surgery and maximize the psychosocial benefits of these procedures.