title: Tanning in body dysmorphic disorder.
abstract: Tanning in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has not previously been studied. In this study, 200 subjects with BDD were evaluated with measures to examine the prevalence of BDD-related tanning--i.e., darkening one's skin color by direct exposure to sunlight or artificial light which is motivated by a desire to improve a perceived appearance defect (i.e., a BDD concern). We also examined clinical characteristics of individuals who engaged in BDD-related tanning. 25% (95% CI, 19.0%-31.0%) of subjects reported BDD-related tanning. Among tanners, the skin was the most common body area of concern (84.0%). All tanners experienced functional impairment due to BDD, 26% had attempted suicide, and quality of life was markedly poor. 52% of tanners had received dermatologic treatment, which was usually ineffective for BDD symptoms. Tanners were more likely than non-tanners to compulsively pick their skin. In conclusion, tanning--a behavior with well-known health risks--is a relatively frequent BDD-related behavior.
authors.affiliation: Butler Hospital, Providence, RI 02906, USA. Katharine_Phillips@brown.edu
authors.forename: Katharine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conroy
authors.forename: Raymond G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Dufresne
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Menard
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Didie
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hunter-Yates
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fay
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pagano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008603:Mental Health; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000523:psychology*; D013472:Sunlight; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires