Citation

Buhlmann U, Reese H, Golan E, Wilhelm S. Current Psychosis and Therapeutics Reports 2006; 4(3): 117-120.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006)

DOI

10.1007/BF02629333

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is described as a preoccupation with imagined or slight defects in one's appearance (eg, acne or scarring, the size or shape of the nose). Although BDD was first described more than 100 years ago, only recently has BDD been studied empirically. Therefore, BDD is often under- or misdiagnosed. Moreover, individuals with BDD often do not seek psychiatric help but, rather, consult dermatologists, plastic surgeons, or dentists, which might also contribute to the underdiagnosis of BDD. Importantly, patients' beliefs about their physical appearance can sometimes be of delusional intensity. This delusional form of BDD is associated with greater symptom severity and increased risk of suicide. Current treatments shown to be effective for BDD involve psychopharmacologic treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or psychologic treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Copyright © 2006 by Current Science Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; systematic review; prevalence; major depression; clinical trial; comorbidity; disease severity; risk factor; review; symptomatology; disease association; neuroleptic agent; citalopram; clomipramine; fluoxetine; fluvoxamine; serotonin uptake inhibitor; behavior therapy; cognitive therapy; anxiety disorder; self concept; delusion; drug potentiation; drug efficacy; meta analysis; body dysmorphic disorder; pimozide; physical attractiveness