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 one’s 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 part focus

• Body build • Breasts
• Genitalia • Buttocks
• Thinning hair • Excessive hair
• Behavior • Nose
• Substance use disorder • Skin
• Weight lifting • 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 don’t 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-dysmorphic-
disorder.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-with-
body-dysmorphic

All images are property of Tarah Traynor or are Microsoft clipart