Introduction

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine A. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Physical Appearance ◽  
Common Disorder ◽  
Compulsive Behaviors ◽  
Clinically Significant

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a severe and common disorder that consists of distressing or impairing preoccupation with nonexistent or slight flaws in one’s physical appearance. Individuals with BDD perform repetitive, compulsive behaviors to try to cope with the distress that their appearance concerns cause. In addition, the appearance concerns cause clinically significant distress or impairment in psychosocial functioning. This chapter introduces the reader to BDD and provides a roadmap for the book.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Primary Care Clinicians ◽  
Professional Audience ◽  
Advance Knowledge ◽  
Very High

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a devastating yet underrecognized illness. People with BDD are preoccupied with the belief that they look abnormal or ugly—when they actually do not. Their appearance preoccupations cause clinically significant distress or impairment in occupational, academic, social, or other areas of functioning. Psychosocial functioning and quality of life are typically markedly impaired, and rates of suicidality are very high. BDD is common, yet this disorder often goes undiagnosed and untreated. This book provides an up-to-date, comprehensive, and clinically focused overview of this intriguing, complex, and often severe disorder. The book contains nine sections: (1) patients, history, and classification; (2) phenomenology and epidemiology; (3) morbidity; (4) BDD in special populations; (5) assessment; (6) etiology and pathophysiology; (7) recommended treatments; (8) cosmetic treatment; and (9) BDD’s relationship to other disorders. Measures for assessing BDD are provided in the Appendix. Written by leading researchers and clinicians in the field, this book is for anyone who wants to better understand BDD, help patients overcome it, or conduct scientific research to advance knowledge. It is for mental health clinicians, primary care clinicians, and pediatricians, as well as surgeons, dermatologists, and others who provide cosmetic (aesthetic) treatment; cosmetic treatment is commonly received but virtually never alleviates BDD symptoms. This book is also for researchers and students who are interested in anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Although it is geared toward a professional audience, this book is also for anyone who is interested in or has been affected by BDD.

scholarly journals Prevalence and heritability of body dysmorphic symptoms in adolescents and young adults: a population-based nationwide twin study

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (16) ◽  
pp. 2740-2747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesper Enander ◽  
Volen Z. Ivanov ◽  
David Mataix-Cols ◽  
Ralf Kuja-Halkola ◽  
Brjánn Ljótsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Alcohol Related Problems

AbstractBackgroundBody dysmorphic disorder (BDD) usually begins during adolescence but little is known about the prevalence, etiology, and patterns of comorbidity in this age group. We investigated the prevalence of BDD symptoms in adolescents and young adults. We also report on the relative importance of genetic and environmental influences on BDD symptoms, and the risk for co-existing psychopathology.MethodsPrevalence of BDD symptoms was determined by a validated cut-off on the Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire (DCQ) in three population-based twin cohorts at ages 15 (n = 6968), 18 (n = 3738), and 20–28 (n = 4671). Heritability analysis was performed using univariate model-fitting for the DCQ. The risk for co-existing psychopathology was expressed as odds ratios (OR).ResultsThe prevalence of clinically significant BDD symptoms was estimated to be between 1 and 2% in the different cohorts, with a significantly higher prevalence in females (1.3–3.3%) than in males (0.2–0.6%). The heritability of body dysmorphic concerns was estimated to be 49% (95% CI 38–54%) at age 15, 39% (95% CI 30–46) at age 18, and 37% (95% CI 29–42) at ages 20–28, with the remaining variance being due to non-shared environment. ORs for co-existing neuropsychiatric and alcohol-related problems ranged from 2.3 to 13.2.ConclusionsClinically significant BDD symptoms are relatively common in adolescence and young adulthood, particularly in females. The low occurrence of BDD symptoms in adolescent boys may indicate sex differences in age of onset and/or etiological mechanisms. BDD symptoms are moderately heritable in young people and associated with an increased risk for co-existing neuropsychiatric and alcohol-related problems.

Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life in Body Dysmorphic Disorder

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan M. Kelly ◽  
Megan E. Brault ◽  
Elizabeth R. Didie
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Avoidance ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Multiple Domains ◽  
Ability And Willingness

This chapter reviews the literature on quality of life and functional impairment in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and discusses important lines of future research. Quality of life and psychosocial functioning are often poor in individuals with BDD. This is the case across multiple domains, including social, occupational, academic, and physical functioning. BDD symptoms often directly interfere with a person’s ability and willingness to engage in activities of daily living. Individuals with BDD frequently have high levels of social avoidance, which interferes with the development and maintenance of relationships and involvement in social, work, and educational activities. Rates of unemployment and disability are high. Several clinical correlates of BDD are also associated with psychosocial functioning and quality of life—most notably, greater severity of BDD symptoms and comorbid major depressive disorder.

scholarly journals Body dysmorphic disorder (dysmorphophobia / dysmorphomania): literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-23
Author(s):  
N. I. Khramtsova ◽  
Yu. Yu. Zayakin ◽  
S. A. Plaksin ◽  
V. А. Kurkina
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Clinical Picture ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Incorrect Diagnosis ◽  
Unique Approach ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Mental Pathology

A literature review regarding body dysmorphic disorder. Analysis of Russian and foreign bibliographic sources. Dysmorphophobia (body dysmorphic disorder, dysmorphomania) is a psychopathological disorder with ideas of imaginary or exaggerated personal physical inferiority. In the general population it occurs in more than 2 %. Criteria for dysmorphophobia diagnosis are the following: excessive preoccupation with any imaginary or insignificant defect in appearance; preoccupation with a clinically significant disorder or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning; the clinical picture is not explained by another mental disorder. A unique approach to the diagnosis of dysmorphophobia has not been developed yet; clinical, pathopsychological and anamnestic methods are used as well as special questionnaires. Treatment includes drug and psychotherapeutic approaches. The disease is usually chronic, only 9 % of patients manage to achieve stable remission and only 21 % partial. Narrow specialists are not always acquainted with dysmorphophobia; it leads to an incorrect diagnosis and treatment. It is necessary to improve methods for the timely detection and correction of this form of mental pathology in order to prevent severe personal and social consequences of the disease.

scholarly journals Do I Look Gawky? The Association between Pubertal Asynchrony and Peer Victimization

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 794
Author(s):  
Misaki N. Natsuaki ◽  
Sofia T. Stepanyan ◽  
Jenae M. Neiderhiser ◽  
Daniel S. Shaw ◽  
Jody M. Ganiban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Victimization ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Physical Appearance ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Growth Spurt ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Voice Change ◽  
Adoption Study ◽  
Using Data

Pubertal synchrony is defined as the degree of coherence to which puberty-related body changes (e.g., breast development, growth spurt, voice change, underarm hair growth) are coordinated. During the pubertal transition, youth’s body parts grow asynchronously, making each youth’s physical appearance unique. Physical appearance is a known correlate of youth’s psychosocial functioning during adolescence, but we know little about how pubertal asynchrony plays a role in their peer relationships. Using data from an adoption study (the Early Growth and Development Study; n = 413; 237 boys, 176 girls), this study examined the effect of pubertal asynchrony on peer victimization. Results revealed sex-specific effects of pubertal asynchrony; pubertal asynchrony was associated with a higher risk of peer victimization for girls but a lower risk for boys. Findings highlight the intersection of physical development and social context in understanding youth’s experiences of puberty.

Core Clinical Features of Body Dysmorphic Disorder : Appearance Preoccupations, Negative Emotions, Core Beliefs, and Repetitive and Avoidance Behaviors

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel A Simmons ◽  
Katharine A. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Features ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Rejection Sensitivity ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Core Beliefs ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Avoidance Behaviors ◽  
High Rejection

This chapter reviews core clinical features of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and presents two cases. Individuals with BDD are preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance that they view as ugly or abnormal (but that other people view as slight or nonexistent), to the point of experiencing significant distress or impairment in psychosocial functioning. The preoccupation with perceived ugliness triggers a cascade of negative emotions and behavioral responses that are intended to alleviate the appearance concerns but often do not. These responses include repetitive behaviors to check, fix, obtain reassurance about, or hide disliked body areas as well as avoidance of social situations. BDD is associated with high levels of emotional distress and a range of painful emotions, such as depression, anxiety, social anxiety, and shame. Core beliefs often focus on feeling unlovable, inadequate, or worthless. Associated features include high rejection sensitivity and perceived stress and low assertiveness.

scholarly journals Psychosocial effects of whole-body MRI screening in adult high-risk pathogenic TP53 mutation carriers: a case-controlled study (SIGNIFY)

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth K Bancroft ◽  
Sibel Saya ◽  
Emma Brown ◽  
Sarah Thomas ◽  
Natalie Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Psychosocial Outcomes ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Cancer Worry ◽  
Whole Body Mri ◽  
Li Fraumeni Syndrome ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

BackgroundGermline TP53 gene pathogenic variants (pv) cause a very high lifetime risk of developing cancer, almost 100% for women and 75% for men. In the UK, annual MRI breast screening is recommended for female TP53 pv carriers. The SIGNIFY study (Magnetic Resonance Imaging screening in Li Fraumeni syndrome: An exploratory whole body MRI) study reported outcomes of whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) in a cohort of 44 TP53 pv carriers and 44 matched population controls. The results supported the use of a baseline WB-MRI screen in all adult TP53 pv carriers. Here we report the acceptability of WB-MRI screening and effects on psychosocial functioning and health-related quality of life in the short and medium terms.MethodsPsychosocial and other assessments were carried out at study enrolment, immediately before MRI, before and after MRI results, and at 12, 26 and 52 weeks’ follow-up.ResultsWB-MRI was found to be acceptable with high levels of satisfaction and low levels of psychological morbidity throughout. Although their mean levels of cancer worry were not high, carriers had significantly more cancer worry at most time-points than controls. They also reported significantly more clinically significant intrusive and avoidant thoughts about cancer than controls at all time-points. There were no clinically significant adverse psychosocial outcomes in either carriers with a history of cancer or in those requiring further investigations.ConclusionWB-MRI screening can be implemented in TP53 pv carriers without adverse psychosocial outcomes in the short and medium terms. A previous cancer diagnosis may predict a better psychosocial outcome. Some carriers seriously underestimate their risk of cancer. Carriers of pv should have access to a clinician to help them develop adaptive strategies to cope with cancer-related concerns and respond to clinically significant depression and/or anxiety.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Lochner ◽  
Dan Stein ◽  
Eileen Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Related Disorder ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Underlying Pathophysiology ◽  
Insight Into

Body dysmorphic disorder requires obsessional thoughts regarding a perceived defect in appearance and/or compulsive behavior that develop in response to those thoughts. Individuals experience clinically significant impairment because of their appearance concerns. Body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder have many similarities, including phenomenologic features, comorbidities, and underlying pathophysiology. Insight into the excessiveness or irrationality of their beliefs varies from good to delusional. Many individuals with body dysmorphic disorder present with comorbid suicidal ideation and substance use disorders. This review contains 1 table, and 30 references. Key words: body dysmorphic disorder, diagnostic and statistical manual, obsessive-compulsive and related disorder

scholarly journals The prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder among South African university students

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Dlagnikova ◽  
Rudolph Leon Van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
African Students ◽  
Related Disorder ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Mental Acts

<p><strong>Background.</strong><em> </em>The prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) among South African students is explored in this article. BDD is regarded as an obsessive-compulsive-related disorder characterised by a preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance and expressed in repetitive behaviours or mental acts as a response to the appearance concerns, causing clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning. </p><p><strong>Objectives.</strong> To determine the prevalence of BDD among undergraduate students (<em>N</em>=395) at an inner-city university. </p><p><strong>Methods.</strong> Proportionate stratified random cluster sampling was used to select the sample. The students completed a demographics survey and the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire. </p><p><strong>Results and conclusion.</strong> An overall prevalence rate of 5.1% was found in this study, which is similar to prevalence rates reported in existing literature among student populations. No clinically significant differences in the severity of the BDD were found on the demographic variables of gender, race or sexual orientation. However, students differed significantly in their experience of the severity of the disorder in terms of age, in that students over the age of 21 reported higher severity levels than students under the age of 21. Although the prevalence of the disorder compares with that in other countries, its severity seems to increase with age among South African students.</p>

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