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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffBody dysmorphic disorder is a type of chronic mental illness in which you can't stop thinking about a flaw with your appearance — a flaw either that is minor or that you imagine. But to you, your appearance seems so shameful and distressing that you don't want to be seen by anyone. Body dysmorphic disorder has sometimes been called "imagined ugliness."
When you have body dysmorphic disorder, you intensely obsess over your appearance and body image, often for many hours a day. You may seek out numerous cosmetic procedures to try to "fix" your perceived flaws but never are satisfied. Body dysmorphic disorder is also known as dysmorphophobia, or the fear of having a deformity.
- Moore DP, et al. Body dysmorphic disorder. In: Moore DP, et al. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby, Inc.; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/107599999-2/0/1243/0.html. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Castle DJ, et al. An update on body dysmorphic disorder. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2006;19:74-78.
- Buescher LS, et al. Body dysmorphic disorder. Dermatologic Clinics. 2006;24:251-257.
- Body dysmorphic disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. Arlington, Va.:American Psychiatric Association, 2000. www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Hunt TJ, et al. The mirror lies: Body dysmorphic disorder. American Family Physician. 2008;78(2):217-222, 223-224.
- Phillips KA, et al. Body dysmorphic disorder: Treating an underrecognized disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;165(9).
- Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 17, 2008.
