Appearance comparison in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder and controls
Martin Anson1, David Veale1, Sarah Miles2
1The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK; Maudsley Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, UK.
Body Image
|September 18, 2015
Summary
Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) engage in significantly more appearance comparison than controls. BDD patients focus comparison on specific concerns, unlike controls, and feel worse after comparing.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Appearance comparison is common in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) but under-researched.
- Understanding this behavior is crucial for BDD treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent and nature of appearance comparison in BDD.
- To compare appearance comparison patterns between BDD patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a newly devised and a standardized appearance comparison measure.
- Assessed self-reported appearance comparison in 35 BDD participants and 45 controls.
Main Results:
- BDD participants reported significantly higher appearance comparison levels than controls.
- BDD individuals focused comparison on specific concerns, while controls compared overall appearance.
- BDD participants' comparison levels increased with target attractiveness, leading to lower self-rated attractiveness and satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Appearance comparison is a key feature of BDD, differing in nature from controls.
- Findings support cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches targeting appearance comparison in BDD.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
451
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
451
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
19.1K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
19.1K
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
1.9K
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
1.9K
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
1.0K
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
1.0K
01:24Personality Disorders: Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive
658
Dependent personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are two separate psychological conditions that influence behavior, relationships, and overall life functioning. Though both involve maladaptive behaviors, their core characteristics and motivations differ significantly.
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle...
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle...
658
01:19Introduction to Psychological Disorders
1.6K
Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
1.6K