Body dysmorphic disorder

A disorder characterized by preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others. The person performs repetitive behaviors (mirror checking, comparing, camouflaging) in response to appearance concerns and experiences significant distress or functional impairment.

Symptoms

• Preoccupation with perceived appearance defect (unnoticeable or minimal to others) (also: Focus on body appearance – preoccupation with perceived defect, excessive focus on appearance, appearance obsession, excessive concentration on appearance, preoccupation with appearance)
• Frequent checking of appearance in mirror or other reflections (also: Frequent checking of appearance in mirror or other reflections, frequent checking of appearance in mirror, obsessive mirror checking, compulsive looking in mirror, frequent checking of appearance)
• Obsessive comparison of own appearance with others (also: Obsessive comparison of own appearance with others, comparing appearance to others, comparing oneself to others, analysing others appearance, appearance envy)
• Concealing perceived defects with makeup, clothing or hairstyle (also: Concealing perceived defects with makeup or clothing, attempts to hide defect, masking defect, hiding defect, camouflaging appearance)
• Avoidance of social situations (also: Avoidance of social situations due to shame about appearance, avoidance of social situations due to appearance, avoiding people because of appearance, isolation due to appearance, social withdrawal because of appearance)
• Belief that others notice and evaluate perceived defect (also: Belief that others notice and evaluate perceived defect, belief that others evaluate appearance, feeling of being judged, belief about criticism of appearance, fear of appearance judgment)
• Attempts to correct appearance defect (also: Attempts to correct defect (plastic surgery, dermatology, cosmetic procedures), repeated plastic surgeries, doctor shopping with dermatologist, self-attempts to remove defect, skin picking to remove imperfection)
• Taking >=1h/day with thoughts and activities related to appearance (also: many hours daily in front of mirror, obsession takes up most of the day, thoughts about appearance disrupt daily life, spends hours concealing appearance, constant self-evaluation in mirror)
• Significant distress and impaired functioning (also: Significant distress and impaired social/occupational functioning, withdrawal from work due to appearance, resignation from relationships due to shame, social isolation, limitation of daily activities)
• Co-occurring depression and suicidal ideation (also: depression in BDD, suicidal thoughts related to appearance, hope for suicide due to defect, tearfulness and sadness, anhedonia in BDD)

ICD-11 diagnostic criteria

• zaabsorbowanie postrzeganą wadą wyglądu
• powtarzające się zachowania związane z kontrolą wyglądu
• unikanie sytuacji społecznych
• istotne cierpienie lub pogorszenie funkcjonowania

How to recognise

In the ICD-11 framework, the core symptoms taken into account when recognising Body dysmorphic disorder are:

• nadmierne skupienie na wyglądzie

Differential diagnosis

When diagnosing Body dysmorphic disorder, the following ICD-11 disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis:

• Zaburzenie obsesyjno-kompulsyjne (6B20)
• Hipochondria (6B23)
• Jadłowstręt psychiczny (6B80)
• Zaburzenie odnoszenia węchowego (6B22)
• Zaburzenie związane ze zbieraniem (patologiczne zbieractwo, syllogomania) (6B24)
• Zaburzenie cierpienia somatycznego (6C20)

Synonyms and related terms

Focus on body appearance – preoccupation with perceived defect, excessive focus on appearance, appearance obsession, excessive concentration on appearance, preoccupation with appearance, excessive concern about appearance, distorted perception of appearance, obsessive thinking about appearance, constantly thinks about appearance, focused only on appearance, worried about how they look, constantly analyzes their appearance, obsessed with appearance, excessively thinks about appearance, frequent checking of appearance in mirror, obsessive mirror checking, compulsive looking in mirror, frequent checking of appearance, constantly looking at self in mirror, checking appearance multiple times, appearance control, constantly looks in mirror, checks how they look, looks in mirror many times, controls appearance, constantly checks self, checks face in mirror, comparing appearance to others, comparing oneself to others, analysing others appearance

Frequently asked questions

What are the symptoms of Body dysmorphic disorder?

Symptoms associated with Body dysmorphic disorder (ICD-11 6B21) include: Preoccupation with perceived appearance defect (unnoticeable or minimal to others), Frequent checking of appearance in mirror or other reflections, Obsessive comparison of own appearance with others, Concealing perceived defects with makeup, clothing or hairstyle, Avoidance of social situations, Belief that others notice and evaluate perceived defect, Attempts to correct appearance defect, Taking >=1h/day with thoughts and activities related to appearance, Significant distress and impaired functioning, Co-occurring depression and suicidal ideation.

How is Body dysmorphic disorder diagnosed according to ICD-11?

According to ICD-11, the diagnostic criteria for Body dysmorphic disorder (6B21) include: zaabsorbowanie postrzeganą wadą wyglądu; powtarzające się zachowania związane z kontrolą wyglądu; unikanie sytuacji społecznych; istotne cierpienie lub pogorszenie funkcjonowania.

What disorders are in the differential diagnosis of Body dysmorphic disorder?

The differential diagnosis of Body dysmorphic disorder (6B21) includes: Zaburzenie obsesyjno-kompulsyjne (6B20), Hipochondria (6B23), Jadłowstręt psychiczny (6B80), Zaburzenie odnoszenia węchowego (6B22), Zaburzenie związane ze zbieraniem (patologiczne zbieractwo, syllogomania) (6B24), Zaburzenie cierpienia somatycznego (6C20).

WHO ICD-11 source

View this entry in the official WHO ICD-11 browser: 6B21 – WHO ICD-11