Body dysmorphic disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder which involves a disturbed body image. The central feature of BDD is that persons who are afflicted with it are excessively dissatisfied with their body because of a perceived physical defect. An example would be a man who is extremely worried that his nose is too big, although other people don't notice anything unusual about it.

Diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV-TR)

The DSM-IV-TR, the latest version of the diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association (see also: DSM cautionary statement), lists three necessary criteria for a diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder:

Related Topics:
DSM-IV-TR - American Psychiatric Association - DSM cautionary statement

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• Preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance. If a slight physical anomaly is present, the person's concern is markedly excessive.
• The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
• The preoccupation is not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g., dissatisfaction with body shape and size in Anorexia Nervosa).