title: Body image, emotions and thought control strategies in body dysmorphic disorder compared to eating disorders and healthy controls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A disordered body image, emotions such as shame and disgust, and intrusive thoughts are described as important and interdependent features of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). However, research in this field is scarce and knowledge is often based on clinical observation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study examined body image dimensions, emotions, and thought control strategies in individuals with: BDD (n=31), anorexia nervosa (n=32), bulimia nervosa (n=34), and healthy controls (n=33). Assessment was based on structured diagnostic interviews and self-report questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with BDD scored higher on psychosocial and appearance manipulation dimensions of body image compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, they reported higher psychosocial impairment due to appearance than both eating disorder groups. In terms of emotions, BDD subjects reported a higher degree of negative emotions compared to healthy controls, whereas no differences were found in comparison to eating-disordered patients. Individuals with BDD reported using maladaptive strategies such as worrying and confrontation more often than healthy controls, when encountering intrusive and unwanted thoughts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that individuals with BDD experience substantial psychosocial impairment due to appearance, high levels of various negative emotions and frequently use maladaptive thought control strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. ines.kollei@uk-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kollei
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brunhoeber
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rauh
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Zwaan
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking; D055815:Young Adult