Imagined ugliness: a symptom which can become a disorder.
Concern regarding physical appearance is normal, but can sometimes reach an intensity which renders it a "disorder" (body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD). The rate of BDD in the general population is not clear, but sufferers are over-represented in psychiatric populations and in those seeking cosmetic surgery. BDD shows extensive psychiatric comorbidity, including depression, social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. BDD is treatable, with serotonergic antidepressants (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and cognitive-behavioural treatments being the most effective.
Castle
D J
DJ
University of Western Australia. David.Castle@health.wa.gov.au
Morkell
D
D
D001828:Body Image; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires