Psychiatric Disorders in Aesthetic Surgery: A Prospective Study

Psychiatric disorders are common among patients seeking aesthetic surgery, yet preoperative psychological assessments are rarely standardized. Identifying these conditions is essential, as they can significantly affect postoperative satisfaction and mental well-being.

This prospective multicentric study was conducted in three Belgian hospitals (Erasme, Brugmann, and CHIREC Braine-l'Alleud) between June 2022 and December 2024. Seventy-five patients consulting for aesthetic procedures underwent a 2-hour preoperative consultation including psychological evaluation with the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-S). Fisher's exact test was used to assess associations between psychiatric symptoms and patient characteristics.

Overall, 51.9% of patients reported a psychiatric disorder, though only 29.9% had a formal diagnosis in their medical records. Depression (38.7%) and anxiety (32%) were the most common conditions. Psychological screening identified depressive symptoms in 57.3%, anxiety in 28%, and PTSD in 41.3% of participants. Notably, 34.7% reported suicidal ideation based on MMPI results. Strong correlations were found between depressive symptoms and PTSD (χ² = 43.0, p < 0.001), and between BDI-II and MMPI scores (χ² = 73.9, p < 0.001).

Mental health concerns are frequently overlooked in aesthetic surgery candidates, especially outside hospital systems. Failure to identify these issues preoperatively may compromise both surgical outcomes and patient resilience. Closer collaboration between surgeons and mental health professionals is essential for safe, holistic care.

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