Body Dysmorphic Disorder
A mental illness involving obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance.
The flaw may be minor or imagined. But the person may spend hours a day trying to fix it. The person may try many cosmetic procedures or exercise to excess.
People with this disorder may frequently examine their appearance in a mirror, constantly compare their appearance with that of others, and avoid social situations or photos.
Treatment may include counseling and antidepressant medication.
Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: W024
Diagnosis: Body Dysmorphic Disorder
US Patients: US2%
World Patients:
Sex Ratio:
Age Onset: Age 12
Brain Area:
Symptoms: Ruminates about a real or exaggerated flaw, tries to hide or uses plastic surgery
Progression: 1/3 delusional, may “pick at it” and create scars, emotional hyper-arousal, social withdrawal
Causes: Those with poor self-image get proccupied and take more “selfies” which makes it worse.
Medications: anti-depressants; I (Jim Lohr) suspect women worry about features; men about sizes of body parts.
Therapies: CBT-clarifying the false observations
Youtube Video: Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Youtube Video: Because I’m Ugly
Amazon or Library Book: Shattered Image
Amazon or Library Book: Body Dysmorphic Disorder,
Mine and Yours
Click the book to link or order from Amazon.
Click the book to link or order from Amazon.
Support Group: bddfoundation.org-Online
(Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation)
4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED
The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis
Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.
- Body image disturbances in women of childbearing age with polycystic ovary syndrome: a cross-sectional studyby Qian Gao on April 16, 2025
CONCLUSION: The influencing factors of body image disturbance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome of childbearing age come from many aspects, including occupation, acne, hair loss, hirsutism, BMI, intimate relationship, family care and psychological resilience. Consequently, medical professionals in obstetrics and gynecology should recognize the body image concerns of women with PCOS and implement specific interventions to support these women during their childbearing years.
- Dermatologists' Experience in Managing Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Saudi Arabiaby Mohammed A AlFada on April 15, 2025
CONCLUSION: Most dermatologists in SA are aware of BDD and encounter it in their daily practice. While they recognize that antidepressants are the first-line treatment and that early involvement of a psychiatrist is paramount, most prefer to simply explain the nature of the condition to the patient and provide reassurance.
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Adolescents: Family History, Parental Distress, Rearing, and Accommodationby Cassie H Lavell on April 15, 2025
CONCLUSIONS: Results of the study can inform cognitive-behavioral models of adolescent BDD as well as family-based treatment approaches.
- Association between beauty standards shaped by social media and body dysmorphia among Egyptian medical studentsby Mohammed N Abdelaziz on April 15, 2025
This study examines the relationship between exposure to unattainable beauty standards via social media and the prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder among medical students in Egypt. The rapid development of digital platforms, particularly social media, has brought about a wider dissemination of unattainable beauty standards that may contribute to body image disorders and psychological problems. Given the unique pressures faced by medical students, who represent both consumers and influencers...