Body Dysmorphic Disorder

An Overview

Tarah L. Traynor
Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

Body dysmorphic disorder defined

Body dysmorphic disorder, also known as BDD, is defined in the
Merriam-Webster dictionary as a pathological preoccupation with an
imagined or slight physical defect of ones body to the point of

causing significant stress or behavioral impairment in several areas

(as work and personal relationships)

Patients with BDD exaggerate small flaws or imagine

flaws to the point of perceived deformity
Example

Actual

Perceived

Causes of body dysmorphic disorder

There are no known causes of body dysmorphic disorder.

It is believed that there are three main components to the

development of BDD
Cultural
Social
Psychological

Some believe an event may trigger the manifestation of BDD.

(Hunt, Thienhaus, & Ellwood, 2008)

BDD generally presents in adolescence (Brewster, 2011; Grant & Odlaug, 2009) and affects
both men and women (Grant & Odlaug, 2009).

The focus of BDD can be any body part or perceived physical defect, but is most commonly on the
head or face (Brewster, 2011; Grant & Odlaug, 2009).

Gender Predominance of specific symptoms

(Hunt et al., 2008)

Men

Women

Body part focus

Body build
Genitalia
Thinning hair
Behavior
Substance use disorder
Weight lifting

Body part focus

Breasts
Buttocks
Excessive hair
Nose
Skin
Stomach
Teeth
Thighs
Weight
Behavior
Camouflaging techniques
(baggy clothes, wigs, makeup, etc.)
Eating disorder
Skin picking

Symptoms and/or signs of body dysmorphic disorder

(Brewster, 2011)

Spending excessive (2-8 hrs.) in front of the mirror

Body rocking
Skin picking
Lack of sleep

Inability to focus
Decreased appetite

Lack of empathy
Lethargy
Self-assurance seeking
Social withdrawal
Aggressive outbursts

Suicidal tendencies

Many patients with BDD also have other psychiatric disorders.

84% Depression

(Grant & Odlaug, 2009)

49% Substance-use disorders

(Grant & Odlaug, 2009)

40% Social phobia

(Grant & Odlaug, 2009)

33% Obsessive-compulsive
disorder
(Grant & Odlaug, 2009)
Avoidant personality
disorders
(Grant & Odlaug, 2009)
Paranoid personality disorders
(Grant & Odlaug, 2009)

Suicidal tendencies

(Jaffe, 2006)

Physical effects of body dysmorphic disorder

Obsessive skin picking

Infection
Skin grafts
(Grant & Odlaug, 2009)

Eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa
(News RX, 2006)

Cosmetic surgery

Habit forming
Unnecessary
(Nugent, 2009)

Social effects of body dysmorphic disorder

Feeling isolated, depressed, alone and unwanted (Jaffe, 2006)

Feelings of shame, guilt, and embarrassment (Brewster, 2011)

Trouble engaging and interacting with peers (Brewster, 2011)
Trouble developing and maintaining friendships and relationships (Brewster, 2011)
Avoid school, work, or other social situations (Hunt et al., 2008)
Perform poorly at school or work and excessive lateness (Hunt et al., 2008)

Fear of bodily persecution (Brewster, 2011)

There is no cure

Treatments of body dysmorphic disorder

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
(Brewster, 2011; Hunt et al., 2008)

Cognitive behavioral therapy

(Curran, 2006)

A combination of SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy

(Brewster, 2011; Hunt et al., 2008)

Many people with BDD dont admit anything is wrong. The disorder
often goes unrecognized (Brewster, 2011). It is commonly
misdiagnosed in most medical settings (Hunt et al., 2008).

References
Brewster, K. (2011). Body dysmorphic disorder in adolescence: Imagined ugliness. The School Psychologist. Retrieved from:
http://www.apadivisions.org/division-16/publications/newsletters/school-psychologist/2011/07/adolescent-dysmorphicdisorder.aspx
Curran, J. (2006). Treating body dysmorphic disorder. Mental Health Practice, 9.6, 31. Retrieved from: Expanded Academic ASAP. Web
database.
Grant, J. E. & Odlaug, B. L. (2009). Obsessive-compulsive spectrum and disorders of the skin. Expert Review of Dermatology, 4.5, 523.
Expanded Academic ASAP. Web Database. doi: http://dx.doi.org.proxy01.kcc.edu/10.1586/edm.09.40

Hunt, T. J., Thienhaus, O., & Ellwood, A. (2008). The mirror lies: Body dysmorphic disorder. American Family Physician, 78(2), 217-222.
Retrieved from: http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0715/p217.html

Jaffe, E. (2006). Deadly disorder: Imagined-ugliness illness yields high suicide rate. Science News, 170.4, 52. Retrieved from:
http://www.questia.com/library/1G1-149612487/deadly-disorder-imagined-ugliness-illness-yields
News RX. (2006). Eating disorders are common in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. Science Letter, 592. Retrieved from:
http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Drug-Week/2006-03-24/032420063333187W.html
Nugent, K. (2009). Cosmetic surgery on patients with body dysmorphic disorder: cutting the tie that binds. Developments in Mental
Health Law, 28.2, 77. Retrieved from: http://www.questia.com/library/1G1-269921866/cosmetic-surgery-on-patients-withbody-dysmorphic
All images are property of Tarah Traynor or are Microsoft clipart