A 20-year-old woman comes to the physician to discuss the possibility of undergoing rhinoplasty. The patient tells the physician her nose looks “twisted” and “not symmetrical,” and she would like to have surgery to correct it. When in public, she explains that she frequently tries to cover her nose with a scarf because she feels “embarrassed by the way it looks.” Additionally, she also thinks her “skin tone is not even,” and she feels that her friends’ skin is much better than hers. She adds that although she was told by her friends and family that there are no issues with her nose or her skin, she feels ashamed of her appearance. She reports checking the mirror every hour, which she says “consumes a lot of time” in her day. The patient is not reassured by the physician’s comments that her nose and skin appear healthy and symmetric, and she insists that she looks “ugly.” She has not experienced suicidal ideation or attempts of self-harm. Physical examination reveals skin picking in multiple areas of the patient’s body. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

Body dysmorphic disorder

Psychological disorders

Flashcards

Body dysmorphic disorder

0 of 8 complete

Key Takeaways

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder in which a person becomes excessively preoccupied with one or more perceived defects or flaws in their appearance. These flaws may be minor or imagined, and can cause significant emotional distress. People with BDD may go to great lengths to hide their appearance from others, and often have low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness. The cause of BDD is unknown, but it is thought to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Body dysmorphic disorder

Videos

Notes

Body dysmorphic disorder

Abuse

Anxiety disorders

Disorders originating in infancy or childhood

Eating disorders and impulse-control disorders

Factitious disorders

Medication-induced movement disorders and other adverse effects of medication

Mood disorders

Neurocognitive disorders

Personality disorders

Psychotic disorders

Sexual disorders and gender dysphoria

Sleep disorders

Somatic symptoms and related disorders

Substance use disorders

Psychological disorders review

Flashcards

Body dysmorphic disorder

Key Takeaways

Ask Osmosis AI

Try the full Osmosis experience

Flashcards

Body dysmorphic disorder

Questions

USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE