Characteristics of

Body Dysmorphic

Disorder

BDD is a body-image disorder characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight defect in one's appearance.

People with BDD can dislike any part of their body, although they often find fault with their hair, skin, nose, chest, or stomach. In reality, a perceived defect may be only a slight imperfection or nonexistent. But for someone with BDD, the flaw is significant and prominent, often causing severe emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning.

BDD is often associated with depression, social phobia, and OCD. Frequently, BDD is misdiagnosed or undiagnosed along with these disorders.

• Skin (73%)• Hair (56%)• Nose (37%)• Weight (22%)• Stomach (22%)• Breasts/chest/nipples (21%)• Eyes (20%)• Thighs (20%)• Teeth (20%)• Legs (overall) (18%)• Body build/bone structure (16%)• Facial features (general) (14%)• Face size/shape (12%)• Lips (12%)• Buttocks (12%)• Chin (11%)• Eyebrows (11%)• Hips (11%)• Ears (9%)• Arms/wrists (9%)

• Waist (9%)• Genitals (8%)• Cheeks/cheekbones (8%)• Calves (8%)• Height (7%)• Head size/shape (6%)• Forehead (6%)• Feet (6%)• Hands (6%)• Jaw (6%)• Mouth (6%)• Back (6%)• Fingers (5%)• Neck (5%)• Shoulders (3%)• Knees (3%)• Toes (3%)• Ankles (2%)• Facial muscles (1%)

In research carried out by Dr. Katharine Philips (2005), involving over 500 patients, the percentage of patients concerned with the most common locations were as follows;

Persons with BDD perceive themselves ugly that they tend to avoid social exposure...

Or prefers to have surgery...

Jocelyn Wildenstein

Other areas of concern include the size of the penis, muscles, breasts, thighs, buttocks, and the presence of certain body odors.