Citation

Figueira I, Mendlowicz M, Nardi AE, Marques C, Saboya E, Andrade Y, Versiani M. J. Bras. Psiquiatr. 1993; 42(6): 303-312.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Instituto De Psiquiatria)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Body dysmorphic disorder - excessive preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance - has received little empirical investigation. However, it seems to be a chronic disorder, with significant morbidity and high association with other psychiatric disorders, particularly humor, anxiety and personality disorders. It has been described in the literature for more than a century, with several cases reporting potential complications such as successive plastic surgeries, hospitalizations and suicide attempts. There is a bias in the recent American literature in suggesting a greater relationship between body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder than with other psychiatric disorders. We reported three cases of body dysmorphic disorder associated with social phobia. We reviewed the following topics of the literature: diagnostic criteria, course, impairment and complications, etiology, treatment and relationship with others psychiatric disorders. We suggest the inclusion of a criterion based on distress and/or impairment in order a patient be given a diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder. This is not done in DSM-III-R. Recent treatment proposals emphasize the serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants as an important option. We call attention to the importance of detecting syndromes associated with the body dysmorphic disorder to optimize the planning of a flexible and effective therapeutic strategy.

Language: pt

Keywords

adult; human; female; male; case report; suicide attempt; hospitalization; morbidity; review; antidepressant agent; fluoxetine; imipramine; moclobemide; serotonin antagonist; clonazepam; body dysmorphic disorder; phobia; plastic surgery