ABSTRACT

Appearance concerns are commonplace in today's society. However, for some individuals, this preoccupation may reach a pathological degree. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn, text revised; DSM-IV-TR), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with an imaginary and/or a slight defect in one's appearance not accounted for by another disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa). The preoccupation must cause marked distress and/or result in a signi®cant decrease in functioning within major life domains (e.g., social, occupational, or academic functioning) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).