Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Otto, M. W. Articles by Harlow, B. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Otto, M. W. Articles by Harlow, B. L. Gender Somatoform Disorders Epidemiology

Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in a Community Sample of Women

OBJECTIVE: In a large population-based study, the authors examined the prevalence and correlates of body dysmorphic disorder, a debilitating and chronic condition characterized by an imagined defect in appearance. METHOD: Rates and diagnostic correlates of body dysmorphic disorder were examined by using data from the Harvard Study of Moods and Cycles. This study used in-person structured clinical interviews to characterize the diagnostic status of a population-based, cross-sectional sample of 318 depressed and 658 nondepressed women between the ages of 36 and 44 who were selected from seven Boston metropolitan area communities. RESULTS: The presence of body dysmorphic disorder was significantly associated with the presence of major depression and anxiety disorders. The authors estimated the overall point prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder as 0.7% in women in this age range in the community. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found that the presence of body dysmorphic disorder was linked to the presence of major depression and anxiety disorders, which is similar to findings in clinical studies. Their estimate of the point prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder is consistent with data from a community-based sample of Italian women and suggests a prevalence similar to that of other serious psychiatric disorders in women (e.g., schizophrenia and drug abuse and dependence). These prevalence data encourage the further development of treatment options for this debilitating condition.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. J. Villeneuve, E. J. Holowaty, J. Brisson, L. Xie, A.-M. Ugnat, L. Latulippe, and Y. Mao THE AUTHORS REPLY Am. J. Epidemiol., April 1, 2007; 165(7): 846 - 847. [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. Phillips, M. E. Pagano, W. Menard, and R. L. Stout A 12-Month Follow-Up Study of the Course of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Am J Psychiatry, May 1, 2006; 163(5): 907 - 912. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. Phillips Clinical Features and Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Focus, April 1, 2005; 3(2): 179 - 183. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D Veale Body dysmorphic disorder Postgrad. Med. J., February 1, 2004; 80(940): 67 - 71. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Veale, M. Ennis, and C. Lambrou Possible Association of Body Dysmorphic Disorder With an Occupation or Education in Art and Design Am J Psychiatry, October 1, 2002; 159(10): 1788 - 1790. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2001 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us