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Body Dysmorphic Disorder

A Survey of Fifty Cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

David Veale ,
Ann Boocock ,
Kevin Gournay ,
Windy Dryden ,
Fozia Shah ,
Robert Willson  and
Jessica Walburn
David Veale*
Affiliation:
Grovelands Priory Hospital, and Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London
Ann Boocock
Affiliation:
Royal Free Hospital, London
Kevin Gournay
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Windy Dryden
Affiliation:
Goldsmiths College, University of London
Fozia Shah
Affiliation:
Grovelands Priory Hospital
Robert Willson
Affiliation:
Grovelands Priory Hospital
Jessica Walburn
Affiliation:
Grovelands Priory Hospital
*
Dr D. Veale, Grovelands Priory Hospital, The Bourne, Southgate, London N14 6RA
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Abstract

Background

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) consists of a preoccupation with an ‘imagined’ defect in appearance which causes significant distress or impairment in functioning. There has been little previous research into BDD. This study replicates a survey from the USA in a UK population and evaluates specific measures of BDD.

Method

Cross-sectional interview survey of 50 patients who satisfied DSM–IV criteria for BDD as their primary disorder.

Results

The average age at onset was late adolescence and a large proportion of patients were either single or divorced. Three-quarters of the sample were female. There was a high degree of comorbidity with the most common additional Axis I diagnosis being either a mood disorder (26%), social phobia (16%) or obsessive–compulsive disorder (6%). Twenty-four per cent had made a suicide attempt in the past. Personality disorders were present in 72% of patients, the most common being paranoid, avoidant and obsessive–compulsive.

Conclusions

BDD patients had a high associated comorbidity and previous suicide attempts. BDD is a chronic handicapping disorder and patients are not being adequately identified or treated by health professionals.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 169 , Issue 2 , August 1996 , pp. 196 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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