Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
04:19
A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
4.3K
Risk of self-harm in patients with body dysmorphic disorder: a population-based cohort study
Wai Kwong Tang1, Kelvin K F Tsoi2,3, Terry Cheuk Fung Yip4
1Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|December 22, 2025
Summary
Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) do not face a higher risk of self-harm behaviors. This study found no significant difference in self-harm incidence between BDD patients and the general population.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition characterized by obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance.
- Self-harm is a significant concern in psychiatric populations, and understanding risk factors is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and the risk of engaging in self-harm behaviors.
- To compare self-harm rates in individuals diagnosed with BDD versus those without the disorder.
Main Methods:
- A matched cohort study utilizing electronic health records from Hong Kong public hospitals (1993-2022).
- A cohort of 71 patients with BDD was matched with 71 patients without BDD.
- Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed to analyze the risk of self-harm.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in self-harm behavior was observed between the BDD group (2.8%) and the comparison group (4.2%).
- The incidence of self-harm was 22.5 per 10,000 person-years for BDD patients and 34.6 per 10,000 person-years for the comparison group.
- The adjusted hazard ratio for self-harm in the BDD group was 0.63 (95% CI, 0.08-4.56).
Conclusions:
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is not associated with an elevated risk of self-harm.
- Further research is recommended to validate these findings and explore other potential risk factors for self-harm in BDD patients.
More Related Videos
09:55Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
13.1K
09:14Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: March 14, 2025
866
Related Concept Videos
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
18.8K
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.
18.8K
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
641
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...
641
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
262
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,...
262
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
865
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...
865
01:25Borderline Personality Disorder
480
Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulse control. This instability manifests in extreme emotional reactions, fear of abandonment, and self-destructive behaviors. The disorder significantly impacts daily functioning, often leading to distress in both personal and professional domains.
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
480
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
402
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
402