Prevalence and Underrecognition of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Abstract
Large epidemiologic studies across Western countries that used DSM-IV and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria have found a point prevalence rate of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) of 1.7% to 2.9%. The prevalence of BDD is higher in clinical samples. Gender ratios in epidemiologic studies show a slight preponderance of females, which is confirmed in most convenience and clinical samples. Prevalence rates appear to be highest in younger (adolescent) subsamples. Other demographic correlates include a lower likelihood of being in a committed relationship, less education, lower household income, and higher unemployment rates. Key clinical correlates from epidemiologic studies are greater depression, anxiety, and somatoform symptoms and more frequent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Reasons for the underrecognition of BDD include shame, fear of not being understood by the clinician, lack of readiness for treatment, skepticism about treatment or belief in the superiority of other forms of treatment (such as cosmetic treatment), and lack of financial coverage for treatment.
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The higher BDD prevalence in this study and similar non-Western settings may reflect underdiagnoses in Western contexts due to greater mental health literacy or differences in help-seeking behavior.
“The higher prevalence in our study and similar non-Western settings may also reflect underdiagnoses in Western contexts due to greater mental health literacy or differences in help-seeking behavior12,14.”
From Association between beauty standards shaped by social media and body dysmorphia among Egyptian medical students (2025) · cites this paper as [14]
Western epidemiologic data suggest general population BDD rates of 1.7-2.9%.
“while Western epidemiologic data suggest general population rates of 1.7–2.9%12,14.”
From Association between beauty standards shaped by social media and body dysmorphia among Egyptian medical students (2025) · cites this paper as [14]
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Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
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Einsatz von virtueller Realität in der Behandlung von Körperbildstörungen
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When the mirror lies: body dysmorphic disorder
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- Authors
- Hartmann, A. S., & Buhlmann, U.
- Venue
- Oxford Medicine Online
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Published
- 2017-07
- OpenAlex
- W3217430863
- Cited by
- 20
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 0.81
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Oxford University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
- Keywords
- body dysmorphic disorder, prevalence, under-recognition, gender differences, adolescents, depression, anxiety, somatoform symptoms, suicidal ideation, barriers to treatment, cosmetic procedures, DSM-IV, DSM-5
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