Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Phenomenology and Case Descriptions

Abstract

Thirteen cases of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) were described. There were eight males (61.5%) and five females (38.5%) with ages ranging from 16 to 37 (mean=24.7). All patients were also diagnosed as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), according to DSM-III-R, with the exception of one. Patients were administered the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Wechsler Intelligence Scale, Over-valued Ideation Scale and MMPI. The Phenomenology of BDD, its relationship to OCD, and the patients' responses to the above tests were reported. Due to the bizarreness of the symptoms and the secretiveness of the patients, it was suggested that clinicians be thoroughly aware of the disorder and inquire as to its presence during the initial consultation. Otherwise, these patients go unnoticed and they resort to treatment from dermatologists and plastic surgeons.