[Body dysmorphic disorder: Future prospects of medical care]

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by excessive preoccupation with a slight or imagined defect in one's physical appearance, believing they look ugly, abnormal or deformed. While the most common preoccupations focus on the skin, hair and nose, any part of the body may be involved. Preoccupations are intrusive, time-consuming and hard to control. Repetitive behaviors are performed in response to the preoccupations. BDD is associated with marked impairment in socio-professional functioning, poor quality of life and high suicide rates.

BDD appears to be relatively common with a prevalence rate between 1 and 2% in general population with a chronic course evolution without treatment, it is also associated with a high rate of depression and suicide. The current prevalence in adult psychiatric population is estimated over 10%; prevalence is also elevated in dermatology and cosmetic surgery patients.

Adequate treatments may improve symptoms and quality of life. International guidelines recommend cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as first line of treatment. Several studies have shown evidence of CBT benefit. High dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI) for at least 12weeks are recommended in more severe cases. SRI augmentation strategies with antipsychotic adjunction do not report benefit in small-size sample. Antipsychotic medication for BDD even with delusional beliefs is not indicated. Attachment based interpersonal psychotherapy, analyzing and correcting interpersonal relationship from individuals with BDD may represent an alternative therapy improving self-esteem.

Insight is generally poor and patients often require cosmetic and surgical treatments to "correct" their imagined defect with sometimes a transitional initial benefit but without positive impact on long-term remission and can exacerbate preoccupation.

Healthcare professionals need to be aware of an early detection of this trouble, clinical tools validated in cosmetic population can help them to identify BDD in order to provide education about diagnosis and refer patients to a psychiatrist. More collaboration between psychiatrists and cosmetic practitioners is necessary.