title: Phenomenology of men with body dysmorphic disorder concerning penis size compared to men anxious about their penis size and to men without concerns: a cohort study.
abstract: Men with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) may be preoccupied with the size or shape of the penis, which may be causing significant shame or impairment. Little is known about the characteristics and phenomenology of such men and whether they can be differentiated from men with small penis anxiety (SPA) (who do not have BDD), and men with no penile concerns. Twenty-six men with BDD, 31 men with SPA, and 33 men without penile concerns were compared on psychopathology, experiences of recurrent imagery, avoidance and safety-seeking behaviours. Men with BDD had significantly higher scores than both the SPA group and no penile concern group for measures of imagery, avoidance, safety seeking and general psychopathology. The groups differed on the phenomenology of BDD specific to penile size preoccupation clearly from the worries of SPA, which in turn were different to those of the men without concerns. The common avoidance and safety seeking behaviours were identified in such men that may be used clinically.
authors: Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, 16 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK. Electronic address: david.veale@kcl.ac.uk.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Veale
authors: Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, 16 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Miles
authors: Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, 16 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Read
authors: Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, 16 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Troglia
authors: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK.
authors: Lina
authors: L
authors: Carmona
authors: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Fiorito
authors: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK.
authors: Hannah
authors: H
authors: Wells
authors: Porterbrook Clinic, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, 9 Sunderland Street, Sheffield S11 8HN, UK.
authors: Kevan
authors: K
authors: Wylie
authors: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK.
authors: Gordon
authors: G
authors: Muir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D010413:Penis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Body dysmorphic disorder; Penis size; Phenomenology; Small penis syndrome