Body dysmorphic disorder

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Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), also known in some contexts as dysmorphophobia or simply dysmorphia, is a mental disorder defined by an overwhelming preoccupation with a perceived flaw in one's physical appearance. In BDD's delusional variant, the flaw is imagined. When an actual visible difference exists, its importance is disproportionately magnified in the mind of the individual. Whether the physical issue is real or imagined, ruminations concerning this perceived defect become pervasive and intrusive, consuming substantial mental bandwidth for extended periods each day. This excessive preoccupation induces severe emotional distress and also disrupts daily functioning and activities. The DSM-5 places BDD within the obsessive–compulsive spectrum, distinguishing it from disorders such as anorexia nervosa. BDD is estimated to affect up to 2 to 3% of the population. It usually starts during adolescence, and affects men and women at roughly similar rates. The BDD subtype muscle dysmorphia...

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