[Body Dysmorphic Disorder - Balance between Beauty Mania and Illness]

Body Dysmorphic Disorder - Balance between Beauty Mania and Illness Abstract. The body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) belongs to the somatoform disorders and is characterized by an excessive concern about a slight or not apparent defect in appearance. Typical areas of concern include the face, for example the skin texture or form and symmetry of a particular feature. Besides behavioral pecularities such as excessive checking of the defect in a mirror, the preoccupation causes clinically significant distress and impairment in social functioning. Given a prevalence of up to 20 % among patients seeking plastic surgery, it is perhaps the most relevant psychiatric condition for plastic surgeons. Moreover, aesthetic treatments might even lead to a worsening of symptoms. Thus, we recommend close observation of all patients seeking aesthetic operations cautiously with regard to typical symptoms and behavior. Particular questions from well-known screening questionnaires might further help to identify patients with BDD.