Body dysmorphic disorder is a form of mental illness in which the person is obsessed and/or preoccupied with an imagined defect or only slight anomaly in their appearance.
In order to be diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder, preoccupation with the imagined defect in appearance must cause the person significant distress and/or impair there ability to get along with others or perform their duties at work. For example, a person affected by body dysmorphic disorder might avoid leaving the house because she thinks her nose is too big or her ears are too small. Importantly, a diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder must rule out anorexia/and or bulimia, which may also involve a preoccupation with appearance.
How Are OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Similar?
Although body dysmorphic disorder is categorized a somatoform disorder, it has been suggested that body dysmorphic disorder may belong to a group of illnesses within the obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum. Why is this?
- Like OCD, body dysmorphic disorder involves persistent and recurrent obsession-like thoughts which are distressing and often uncontrollable.
- People with body dysmorphic disorder engage in repetitive, compulsion-like behaviors such as looking in mirror over and over again, asking other people about the imagined defect and skin-picking.
- As can be the case with OCD, body dysmorphic disorder often involves a preoccupation with symmetry and perfection.
- Both OCD and body dysmorphic disorder usually start in adolescence, can cause substantial disability and respond to treatment with antidepressants including SSRIs as well as cognitive-behavioral techniques.
How Are OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Different?
Despite the apparent similarities between OCD and body dysmorphic disorder, several features distinguish these two illnesses.- While the focus of obsessions and compulsions in OCD can vary greatly (such as contamination, death of a loved one, symmetry, guilt, violence, sexuality), the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder are focused solely on one’s appearance or body.
- People with body dysmorphic disorder often have poorer insight into the nature and irrationality of their symptoms compared to be people with OCD. In fact, from a clinical perspective, some individuals with body dysmorphic disorder are considered to be delusional.
- For people who have body dysmorphic disorder, concerns or obsessions about appearance are often less intrusive (although still distressing) than the obsessions experienced in OCD.
Can You Have OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder at the Same Time?
Yes. In fact, OCD and body dysmorphic disorder often occur together. Research suggests that between 34% to 78% of people with body dysmorphic disorder will also experience OCD.
If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms of either OCD or body dysmorphic disorder, it is important that you consult with your doctor or another qualified mental health professional.
Source:
Frare, F., Perugi, G., Ruffolo, G., & Toni, C. “Obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder: a comparison of clinical features” European Psychiatry 2004 19: 292-298.
