Body dysmorphic disorder

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Although the precise cause of body dysmorphic disorder isn't known, certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering the condition, including:

  • Having biological relatives with body dysmorphic disorder
  • Childhood teasing
  • Low self-esteem
  • Societal pressure or expectations of beauty
  • Having another psychiatric disorder, such as anxiety or depression

Body dysmorphic disorder usually starts in adolescence. It affects men and women in similar numbers.

Complications Causes
References
  1. Body dysmorphic disorder. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec15/ch204/ch204b.html#sec15-ch204-ch204b-767. Accessed Sept. 1, 2010.
  2. Ford CV. Somatoform disorders. In: Ebert MH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Psychiatry, 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3287234. Accessed Sept. 1, 2010.
  3. Body dysmorphic disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association: 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Sept. 1, 2010.
  4. Fiora P, et al. Body dysmorphic disorder: A complex and polymorphic affection. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2009;5:477.
  5. Hunt TJ, et al. The mirror lies: Body dysmorphic disorder. American Family Physician. 2008;78:217.
  6. Conrado LA, et al. Body dysmorphic disorder among dermatologic patients: Prevalence and clinical features. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;63:235.
  7. Phillips KA, et al. Body dysmorphic disorder: Treating an underrecognized disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;9:165.
  8. Ipser JC, et al. Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009;(1): CD005332.
DS00559 Nov. 5, 2010

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