OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the frequency of body dysmorphic
disorder in patients with a primary diagnosis of anxiety disorders and
major depression. METHOD: Patients with social phobia (N = 54),
obsessive-compulsive disorder (N = 53), generalized anxiety disorder (N =
32), panic disorder (N = 47), and major depression (N = 42) and normal
comparison subjects (N = 33) were studied. RESULTS: Body dysmorphic
disorder was most common in patients with social phobia (11%) and
obsessive-compulsive disorder (8%); it was less prevalent among patients
with panic disorder (2%), generalized anxiety disorder (0%), and major
depression (0%) and among normal subjects (0%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings
suggest that body dysmorphic disorder may share etiologic elements with
social phobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Abstract Teaser