Although dysmorphophobia, a subjective feeling of ugliness in a person
of normal appearance, constitutes a distinctive symptom cluster
occasionally seen in patients requesting cosmetic surgery, it is not
included in current major psychiatric diagnostic systems. Patients with
dysmorphophobia are usually young and perfectionistic and have both
schizoid and narcissistic traits. The authors present two representative
case histories and suggest that study of more patients with dysmorphophobia
is needed to determine whether it is a symptom of an underlying disease or
is itself a separate disease entity.Abstract Teaser