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Self-discrepancy in body dysmorphic disorder.

David Veale1, Peter Kinderman, Susan Riley

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK. David@veale.co.uk

The British Journal of Clinical Psychology
|June 28, 2003
PubMed
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Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) patients experience significant self-discrepancies, particularly between their actual and ideal selves. This suggests BDD is linked to an inability to meet personal appearance standards, similar to depression.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Self-discrepancy theory (SDT) posits that conflicting self-beliefs cause psychological distress.
  • Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) involves preoccupation with perceived appearance flaws, often co-occurring with depression and social anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the applicability of SDT to BDD by examining self-beliefs in patients.
  • To understand the nature of self-discrepancies in individuals with BDD.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study design was employed, contrasting BDD patients with a control group.
  • 149 participants (72 BDD, 35 BDD focused on weight/shape, 42 controls) completed a modified Selves Questionnaire assessing actual, ideal, and 'should' selves, as well as others' perceptions.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • BDD patients showed significant discrepancies between their actual self and their ideal and 'should' selves.
  • No significant discrepancies were found between BDD patients' actual self and others' actual or ideal selves.
  • Depression and social anxiety scores, when used as covariates, highlighted significant self-ideal and self-should discrepancies in BDD patients.

Conclusions:

  • BDD patients appear to hold unrealistic appearance ideals or demands.
  • Their concerns focus on failing to meet personal aesthetic standards, aligning them more closely with depressed individuals than with social phobics or bulimics.