What is Body Dysmorphia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD) or dysmorphophobia affects about 1.7% to 2.4% of the population, this is about 1 in 50 people [1].

BDD most often develops in adolescents and young adults, 12-13 years old. Interestingly, it affects men and women almost equally [1].

Unfortunately, it can be 10 or more years before a diagnosis is made or treatment is suggested and provided [6]. Here and now, is the time to bring awareness to an under-diagnosed illness.

dysmorphia

Body Dysmorphia Definition

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a disabling psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive and persistent preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in appearance, which are unnoticeable to others, and associated with repetitive behaviors [4].

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder According to the DSM-5

BDD is a preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others [5].

In the DSM-5, BDD is now classified under the Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders chapter. This is due to BDD and OCD commonly being diagnosed together [4].

During the progression of this disorder, individuals will spend significant amounts of time engaging in repetitive behaviors or mental acts. These signs of body dysmorphia are key features of the disorder and may include [5]:

  • Mirror checking
  • Excessive grooming or hygiene
  • Skin picking
  • Reassurance seeking

Individuals may also compare themselves physically with others in response to concerns surrounding appearance [5].

Lastly, the DSM-5 includes two specifiers when identifying BDD. First, the insight specifier aids clinicians in identifying delusional dysmorphic beliefs. Second, the muscle dysmorphia specifier helps to identify those preoccupied with body build [4].

Body Dysmorphic Disorder ICD 10 Code

BDD is underdiagnosed and undertreated in a day when insurance coverage for treatment is possible.

Practitioners can use ICD-10-CM Code F45.22 to bill for the specific diagnosis of BDD [3] through insurance.

When medically coding makes sure to use proper terminology. The recommended term to include for BDD would be Dysmorphophobia [3].

Body Dysmorphic Statistics

BDD most commonly starts in adolescence and is often unnoticed. Body dysmorphic statistics highlight the prevalence of BDD, who is at risk, and where assessments can be applied for diagnosis.

Here are just a few staggering body dysmorphic statistics [4, 6]:

  • BDD affects about 1.9% of the adult population
  • BDD affects about 1.7-2.2% of adolescents
  • In adult psychiatric outpatients, about 5.8% suffer from BDD
  • In adult psychiatric inpatients, about 7.4% suffer from BDD
  • In adolescent psychiatric patients, about 6.7-14.3%
  • In general cosmetic surgery, up to at least 20% suffer from BDD
  • In cosmetic dentistry, about 5.2%
  • In dermatology outpatients, 11.3%

On average persons suffering from BDD are preoccupied with 5-7 different body parts during their lifetime [6]. If more awareness can be formed around those at risk, then improvements can be made in assessing for and diagnosing BDD.

teens in cafeteria

Who Gets Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

The proportion of adults living with BDD in the United States has been found to be 2.4%, with men and women affected equally [7]. It commonly begins in adolescence at the time when people are most sensitive about their appearance, but many sufferers live with it for years before seeking help for fear that they will be considered vain [8, 9]. Body Dysmorphia and its link to eating disorders are similar in this regard.

What is more, BDD is often underdiagnosed, partly because patients tend to talk to healthcare professionals about other related symptoms such as anxiety or depression rather than revealing their underlying concern [9]. Children can get BDD too, but they are often unable to articulate their problems; instead, signs that they are ill can include refusing to attend school and making plans for suicide [9].

Types of Body Dysmorphia

Body dysmorphia can affect anyone and may present differently based on an individual’s preoccupation. Muscle dysmorphia and BDD by Proxy (BDDBP) are two common subtypes of BDD.

Muscle Dysmorphia

Muscle Dysmorphia is a subtype of BDD involving preoccupation with the entire body. Muscle Dysmorphia is present when an individual is preoccupied with their body build being either too small or having inadequate muscle definition [5].

This type of body dysmorphia can be present even if an individual is preoccupied with other body areas. Important to note those suffering from muscle dysmorphia usually struggle with additional perceived flaws or defects [5].

BDD by Proxy (BDDBP)

BDDPD refers to body dysmorphia with the primary preoccupation fixated on perceived imperfections of another person [2].

Similar to BDD individuals spend time repeating rituals to “fix” another person’s appearance in an attempt to alleviate distress [2].

This may have a profound impact on an individual and their ability to socially function and interact [2].

Body Dysmorphia Symptoms & Diagnosis

In order to diagnose BDD, there must be an awareness of body dysmorphia symptoms. Common signs of body dysmorphia may include [6, 4]:

  • Fixation with the body, primarily face/head, particularly skin, nose, and hair
  • Excessive grooming or hygiene routines
  • Extreme exercise habits
  • Seeking reassurance from others regarding physical appearance
  • Change in eating patterns and behaviors
  • Repetitive mirror checking
  • Skin picking
  • Hair pulling

Individuals with BDD may spend about 3-8 hours per day preoccupied with perceived defects or flaws [6]. Although, 25% of those with BDD will spend greater than 8 hours per day focused on perceived flaws [6].

Also, BDD diagnosis may be overlooked due to an already present mental illness. Common co-occurring conditions include major depressive disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance misuse disorders [6].

What Are the Effects of Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Preoccupations resulting from BDD are intrusive and unwanted [6]. The effects of body dysmorphic disorder may include [4, 6]:

  • Social withdrawal
  • Isolating from intimate relationships
  • Reduced academic performance
  • Dropping out of school
  • Unemployment
  • Increased distress, shame, disgust, anxiety and depression
  • Development of co-occurring mental health conditions
  • Increased risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts
  • Increased risk of substance abuse
  • Development of eating disorders
  • Development of nutritional deficiencies
  • Increased risk of health complications and hospitalizations

people lifting weights

Related Reading

What Causes Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

No one factor can be named for causing BDD to occur. BDD is thought to be the result of a number of factors interacting together, including a variety of biological factors and environmental stressors.

Biological Causes of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

The causes of body dysmorphia disorder are unclear, however, some potential biological causes include [1]:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Family history of mental illnesses
  • Neurobiological factors (i.e. malfunctioning of serotonin in the brain)
  • Having additional diagnosed mental health illnesses (depression, OCD, anxiety, etc.)

Psychological Factors

In addition to biological factors, BDD may be caused by psychological factors driving attitudes, beliefs, learned behaviors, perceptions, and motivations. Some factors include [4]:

  • Childhood abuse
  • Parents or loved one fixated on physical appearance
  • Peer teasing
  • Peer victimization
  • Personality traits, such as perfectionism
  • Cultural beliefs
  • Beauty ideals

Psychological factors often lead to fear people are noticing, judging, or talking about perceived defects or flaws [6]. This may fuel behaviors and ultimately lead to deterioration of quality of life.

Why Getting Surgery Doesn’t Work

When surgery goes ahead, it is frequently perceived to be unsuccessful, while in cases where satisfaction is achieved, 50% of people with BDD have been shown to develop a preoccupation with a previously unaffected body part [8]. People with BDD are at high risk for depression and suicide and have been shown to have a greater degree of distress than people with depression, diabetes, or bipolar disorder [10].

They tend to avoid social situations because they do not want others to see and judge them, and because their perceived defect causes them to be afraid of dating or intimacy [8].

They may employ unhelpful strategies to help them endure such situations, such as drinking alcohol to excess, or they may become housebound. Because of this, attempts at following a course of study or taking part in paid employment are frequently disrupted.

All of these factors may lead to interpersonal difficulties with family members who cannot understand the extent of the disability which the person with BDD faces [8].

Living with BDD can make even everyday, normal activities challenging and overwhelming, creating an overall poor quality of life. Individuals with BDD are also at increased susceptibility for suicide, with research surveys finding that approximately 80% of individuals with BDD reporting suicidal ideation, and about one quarter having attempted suicide [10].

Another behavior experienced among some individuals with BDD includes violent behavior, with approximately one-third of people with BDD reporting violence related to their symptoms.

woman in therapy session

Body Dysmorphia Treatment

Addressing how to help someone with body dysmorphia starts with an assessment for BDD. It is the first step in body dysmorphia treatment. Utilization of a screening tool such as the BDD Questionnaire may aid in detection in a variety of settings including psychiatric, general medicine, cosmetic procedures, etc. [6].

After assessing for and diagnosing BDD, treatment can start. The preferred treatment for BDD is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

In those suffering from BDD, insight related to appearance beliefs may be poor or even nonexistent [6]. Studies have found delusional beliefs can range from 32-38% in those with BDD [6].

The inability to have good insight prevents individuals from even entertaining the possibility that their beliefs may not be true [6].

CBT supports patients in building alternative explanations for preoccupations. Through CBT, patients also work to reduce self-focused attention or rituals and reduce ruminations or self-defeating coping mechanisms [6].

This form of therapy will support and guide patients through gradual exposures to challenge fears and to start practicing new adaptive coping mechanisms [6].

Ambivalence to treatment, especially after starting exposure-based treatment, is very common. It is important for health care professionals including therapists, dietitians, psychiatrists, etc. to support patients through motivational interviewing.

The incorporation of serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) medication has been suggested in addition to CBT [6]. In some cases, the addition of SRI medication has been shown to enhance outcomes [6].

Some studies have also found the incorporation of an SRI has improved BDD and associated symptoms in about 63-83% of patients [6].

Body Dysmorphic Disorder – How to Treat Those Who are Suffering

@ Jessica Setnick and Dr. Kevin Wandler

Kevin Wandler, MD is the Chief Medical Officer of Advanced Recovery
Systems  and  Jessica Setnick, MS, RD, CEDRD Remuda Ranch Senior Fellow  and author of Pocket Guide to Eating Disorders

Further Reading

References:

[1] Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.). Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Retrieved June 30, 2021, from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/body-dysmorphic-disorder
[2] Greenberg, J. L., Mothi, S. S., & Wilhelm, S. (2016). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder by Proxy. Behavior Therapy, 47(4), 515–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2016.01.002
[3] ICD-10-CM Code F45.22 – Body dysmorphic disorder. (n.d.). ICD.CODES. Retrieved June 30, 2021, from https://icd.codes/icd10cm/F4522
[4] Krebs, G., Fernández De La Cruz, L., & Mataix-Cols, D. (2017). Recent advances in understanding and managing body dysmorphic disorder. Evidence Based Mental Health, 20(3), 71–75. https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102702
[5] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance. CBHSQ Methodology Report. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD
[6] Veale, D., & Singh, A. (2019). Understanding and treating body dysmorphic disorder. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 61(7), 131. <a ” href=”https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_528_18″>https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_528_18
[7] Koran, LM et al: The prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder in the United States adult population. CNS Spectrums 2008;13:316-322
[8] Veale, D: Body dysmorphic disorder. Postgraduate Medical Journal 2004;80:67-71
[9] Mind. Body dysmorphic disorder. Web address: http://www.mind.org.uk/mental_health_a-z/7990_body_dysmorphic_disorder Accessed May 29th, 2013
[10] Philips, KA: Quality of life for patients with body dysmorphic disorder. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders 2000;188:170-175

Author: Raylene Hungate, RD/N, LD/N
Reviewed & Updated By Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on August 16, 2021.