In-Depth Information on Body Dysmorphic Disorder

For more detailed information on Body Dysmorphic Disorder, including symptoms, treatment, real-life stories, and questions and answers, see About Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Overview of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) are beset by extreme concerns about their appearance. The disorder usually begins in adolescence and is characterized by a time-consuming and potentially disabling preoccupation with imagined or slight defects in one's appearance or excessive concern about a slight physical anomaly. To meet the criteria for this diagnosis, the preoccupation must cause significant distress or impair school, personal or social functioning. Although virtually any body part can become the source of preoccupation, BDD most commonly involves the eyes, ears, nose, skin, chin, jaw or other facial features. The most frequent co-occurring psychiatric disorders with BDD are obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder and depression. Suicidal thinking and gestures are, unfortunately, not uncommon consequences of BDD.

Causes: Although the precise cause of BDD is unknown, most likely there are multiple sources including biological, psychological and sociocultural factors.

Treatment: Both medication and cognitive/behavioral therapy have been helpful in moderating the symptoms.

Related Articles

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Organizations

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