Citation

Phillips KA, Menard W. Am. J. Psychiatry 2006; 163(7): 1280-1282.

Affiliation

Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906, USA. katharine_phillips@brown.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ajp.163.7.1280

PMID

16816236

PMCID

PMC1899233

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cross-sectional/retrospective data have indicated that individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. However, no study, to the authors' knowledge, has prospectively examined suicidality in BDD. METHOD: In the first prospective study of BDD's course, the authors examined suicidality in 185 subjects for up to 4 years. RESULTS: Suicidal ideation was reported by a mean of 57.8% of the subjects per year, and a mean of 2.6% attempted suicide per year. Two subjects (0.3% per year) completed suicide. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with BDD have high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. The completed suicide rate is preliminary but suggests that the rate of completed suicide in BDD is markedly high.

Language: en