| Prevalence |
Approximately 2.4% of the general population of the United States has body dysmorphic disorder at any given time. Among people having plastic surgery or dermatological treatment, prevalence rates range from 7% to 8% (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). |
| Comorbidity |
Up to 60% of people with body dysmorphic disorder are also depressed; body dysmorphic disorder usually emerges first (Otto et al., 2001; K. A. Phillips, 2001). Thirty-eight percent of people with body dysmorphic disorder may also have social phobia (Coles et al., 2006). Up to 30% of people with body dysmorphic disorder also have OCD (K. A. Phillips, 2001). In one survey, almost half of those with body dysmorphic disorder had (at the time or previously) a substance-use disorder (Grant et al., 2005). Almost one third of those with body dysmorphic disorder will also develop an eating disorder (Ruffolo et al., 2006). |
| Onset |
Body dysmorphic disorder usually begins in childhood or adolescence (Bjornsson et al., in press; Phillips, Menard, et al., 2005). |
| Course |
Body dysmorphic disorder is generally chronic if left untreated. Over 25% of adults with body dysmorphic disorder have been housebound for at least 1 week; 8% are unable to work and receive disability payments (Albertini & Phillips, 1999; Phillips et al., 1994). Two surveys found that approximately 30% of people with body dysmorphic disorder had attempted suicide (Phillips et al., 1994; Phillips, Coles, et al., 2005). |
| Gender Differences |
Body dysmorphic disorder affects both genders with approximately equal frequency, but men and women tend to differ with regard to the specific body parts they view as defective (Phillips, Menard, & Fay, 2006): Women are preoccupied with body weight, hips, breasts, and legs and are more likely to pick their skin compulsively. In contrast, men are preoccupied with body build, genitals, height, excessive body hair, and thinning scalp hair. |
| Cultural Differences |
Generally, symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder are similar across cultures, although certain body attributes may be more likely to be the focus of concern, depending on what physical attributes are valued in a given culture (Pope et al., 1997; Pope, Gruber, et al., 2000). |