How do people with body dysmorphic disorder view themselves? A thematic analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Mental Health

Background:

• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition characterized by obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance.
• Understanding the subjective experiences and self-perceptions of individuals with BDD is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively explore the self-perceptions of individuals diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
• To identify core themes characterizing the self-perception and interpersonal relationship patterns in BDD.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven individuals diagnosed with BDD.
• Participants engaged in visual methods, including bringing photographs of themselves and creating self-portraits.
• Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• The most prevalent theme identified was an increased perception of threat, leading to disordered interpersonal relationships.
• Other significant themes included a desire for regularity and symmetry in appearance, an idealized childhood self, and a perceived obligation to maintain a certain look.
• Participants focused on specific perceived "defective" features rather than general feelings of ugliness.

Conclusions:

• Thematic analysis combined with visual methods effectively identified core themes in BDD self-perception and interpersonal dynamics.
• These findings enhance the understanding of the subjective experience of BDD.
• Thematic analysis shows potential for investigating the links between BDD and other related mental health conditions.