Citation

Vulink NCC. Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Dermatologie en Venereologie 2017; 27(2): 63-66.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

When ultimate beauty becomes obsessional one can think of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Patients with BDD are for example overly concerned with the size of their nose, an unsightly skin or lack of muscularity, while others see no abnormalities or only minor defects in the patients appearance. BDD is a severe psychiatric disorder but patients present mainly to the departments of dermatology, plastic surgery and maxillofacial surgery. However, the diagnosis is often unrecognized. Patients insist on receiving dermatological or cosmetic treatment, but outcomes of these treatments are unsatisfying. As a result patients start doctor shopping. Quality of life is diminished in patients with BDD, they experience severe impairments in psychosocial functioning and the risk of suicide is increased. Lately, our knowledge concerning the involved brain circuits in BDD has increased. Important is that early recognition of the condition leads to adequate referral appropriate treatment.

Language: en