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Imagined ugliness: a symptom which can become a disorder
1University of Western Australia. David.Castle@health.wa.gov.au
The Medical Journal of Australia
|September 29, 2000
Summary
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) involves intense appearance concerns, affecting psychiatric and cosmetic surgery populations. Effective treatments include antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Concerns about physical appearance are common, but can escalate into a disorder known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
- The prevalence of BDD in the general population is not well-established, though individuals with BDD are frequently found in psychiatric settings and among those seeking cosmetic surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the understanding of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
- To highlight the psychiatric comorbidity and treatment options for BDD.
Main Methods:
- This abstract synthesizes existing knowledge on BDD.
- It reviews the comorbidity and treatment efficacy of various interventions.
Main Results:
- BDD is characterized by excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance.
- Individuals with BDD often experience co-occurring conditions such as depression, social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- The disorder is treatable.
Conclusions:
- Body dysmorphic disorder is a significant condition with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity.
- Effective treatment strategies for BDD involve serotonergic antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapies.