Index > Vol. 89/2009 > Iss. 3/May > pp. 281-284 > Abstract
Investigative Report | Facial dermatoses, Psychodermatology and quality of life

Body Dysmorphic Disorder in University Students with Skin Diseases Compared with Healthy Controls

doi: 10.2340/00015555-0638

Abstract:

Body dysmorphic disorder appears relatively frequently in dermatological and cosmetic surgery settings; in fact, dermatologists may be the type of practitioner most often consulted by patients with body dysmorphic disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate body dysmorphic disorder symptoms in Turkish university students with skin diseases. A total of 107 outpatients diagnosed with any skin disease and 109 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects recruited from the students of the same university were enrolled in the study. Subjects in both the patient and the control groups completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale (BDSS). Groups differed on the basis of BDSS scores (t = 3.74, p = 0.001), with higher scores in the group with skin diseases compared with those for healthy controls. Subjects with skin diseases and higher BDSS scores had higher Beck Depression Inventory scores compared with those with lower BDSS scores (z = 4.13, p = 0.001). This study suggests that patients with skin disease have higher body dysmorphic disorder scores compared with healthy controls.

Authors:

Yeşim Kaymak, Ender Taner and Işıl Şimşek

Key words:

body dysmorphic disorder; somatoform disorder; university students; Beck Depression Inventory.

References

  1. Anderson RC. Body dysmorphic disorder: recognition and treatment. Plast Surg Nurs 2003; 23: 125–128.
  2. American Psychiatric Association. DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th edn. (text revision). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000, p. 739–799.
  3. Bowe WP, Leyden JJ, Crerand CE, Sarwer DB, Margolis DJ. Body dysmorphic disorder symptoms among patients with acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007; 57: 222–230.
  4. Phillips KA, Dufresne RG. Body dysmorphic disorder. A guide for dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons. Am J Clin Dermatol 2000; 1: 235–243. Link to article
  5. Phillips KA, Diaz S. Gender differences in body dysmorphic disorder. J Nerv Ment Dis 1997; 185: 570–577. Link to article
  6. Phillips KA, McElroy SL, Keck PE Jr, Pope Hg Jr, Hudson JI. Body dysmorphic disorder: 30 cases of imagined ugliness. Am J Psychiatry 1993; 150: 302–308.
  7. Mackley CL. Body dysmorphic disorder. Dermatol Surg 2005; 31: 553–538.
  8. Cotterill JA. Body dysmorphic disorder. Dermatol Clin 1996; 14: 457–463. Link to article
  9. Perugi G, Akiskal HS, Giannotti D, Frare F, Di Vaio S, Cassano GB. Gender-related differences in body dysmorphic disorder (dysmorphophobia). J Nerv Ment Dis 1997; 185: 578–582. Link to article
  10. Beck AT, Ward CH, Mendelson M, Mosk J, Erbaugh J. An inventory for measuring depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1961; 4: 561–571.
  11. Lasa L, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Vazquez-Barquero JL, Diez-Manrique FJ, Dowrick CF. The use of Beck Depression Inventory to screen for depression in the general population: a preliminary analysis. J Affective Disorders 2000; 57: 261–265.
  12. Szepietowski JC, Salomon J, Pacan P, Hrehorˆ„w E, Zalewska A. Body dysmorphic disorder and dermatologists. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2008; 22: 795–799. Link to article
  13. Phillps KA, Dufresne RG Jr, Wilkel C, Vittorio C. Rate of body dysmorphic disorder in dermatology patients. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000; 42: 436–441.
  14. Uzun O, Basozlu C, Akar A, Cansever A, Ozsahin A, Cetin M, Ebrinˆß S. Body dysmorphic disorder in patients with acne. Compr Psychiatry 2003; 44: 415–419. Link to article
  15. Stangier U, Adam-Schwebe S, Mˆºller T, Wolter M. Discrimination of facial appearance stimuli in body dysmorphic disorder. J Abnorm Psychol 2008; 117: 435–443.
  16. Castle DJ, Phillips KA, Dufresne RG. Body dysmorphic disorder and cosmetic dermatology: more than skin deep. J Cosmetic Dermatol 2004; 3: 99–103.
  17. Glaser DA, Kaminer MS. Body dysmorphic disorder and the liposuction patient. Dermatol Surg 2005; 31: 559–560; discussion 561.