The present invention provides methods for treating moderate-to-severe or severe atopic dermatitis (AD). The methods of the present invention comprise administering to a subject in need thereof one or more doses of an interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) inhibitor such as an anti-IL-4R antibody. In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention are used to treat severe AD in a patient whose disease is not controlled with systemic therapy (