Correlates of quality of life and functional disability in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder

Reliability and Validity of the Self-Report Version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Despite its frequent use in research studies, the self-report version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS-SR) is yet to be formally validated. The present investigation sought to examine the psychometric properties of the BDD-YBOCS-SR across three different samples. In Study 1 (N = 847), we sought to explore the factor structure of the BDD-YBOCS-SR. In addition, we evaluated the convergent and divergent validity with similar self-report measures. In Study 2 (N = 187), the convergence of the BDD-YBOCS-SR with reactivity to an in vivo appearance-related task was observed. In Study 3, we compared scores on the BDD-YBOCS-SR between a clinical sample of individuals with BDD (n = 50) and a "healthy" control sample (n = 51). We further observed the BDD-YBOCS-SR's sensitivity to treatment and convergence with the rater-administered version in the clinical sample. The BDD-YBOCS-SR demonstrated strong psychometric properties across all three studies. Scores on the BDD-YBOCS-SR were found to be strongly associated with appearance anxiety, reactivity to the appearance task, and the rater-administered BDD-YBOCS. The present investigation provides support for the BDD-YBOCS-SR's utility in measuring body dysmorphic symptom severity for use in research and clinical settings.

"Life's too short to be small": An experimental exploration of the relationship between death anxiety and muscle dysmorphia symptoms

Growing research demonstrates that death anxiety is strongly associated with numerous mental health conditions. It is possible that death anxiety may similarly contribute to behaviours associated with muscle dysmorphia (MD). The current pre-registered study examined this possibility in 322 young men with an interest in health and fitness. The mortality salience paradigm was used to experimentally examine whether reminders of death increased behaviours relevant to MD. Measures of MD symptoms and death anxiety were also completed by participants. Contrary to expectations, reminders of death did not significantly increase willingness to trial workout supplements, or dissatisfaction with current muscularity. Participants reminded of death reported lower intention to exercise in the near future, compared to the control condition. Moreover, death reminders did not lead to significantly larger portion sizes being chosen. However, in post-hoc analyses, men with high, but not low, MD symptoms did choose larger portions after being primed with death. Lastly, positive correlations were found between self-report measures of MD symptoms and two measures of death anxiety. Cumulatively, these results suggest that while fears of death may be associated with self-reported MD symptoms, they may not drive excessive exercise, nor body dissatisfaction in men.

Statistical predictors of psychosocial impairment in body-focused repetitive behaviors

BACKGROUND

Skin picking disorder and trichotillomania, also characterized as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), often lead to functional impairment. Some people with BFRBs, however, report little if any psychosocial dysfunction. There has been limited research as to which clinical aspects of BFRBs are associated with varying degrees of functional impairment.

METHODS

Adults (n = 98), ages 18 to 65 with a current diagnosis of trichotillomania (n = 37), skin picking disorder (n = 32), trichotillomania plus skin picking disorder (n = 10), and controls (n = 19) were enrolled. Partial least squares regression (PLS) was used to identify variables associated with impairment on the Sheehan Disability Scale.

RESULTS

PLS identified an optimal model accounting for 45.8% of variation in disability. Disability was significantly related to (in order of descending coefficient size): severity of picking, perceived stress, comorbid disorders (specifically, anxiety disorders / obsessive-compulsive disorder), trait impulsivity, family history of alcohol use disorder, atypical pulling/picking sites, and older age.

CONCLUSIONS

At present mental disorders are viewed as unitary entities; however, the extent of impairment varies markedly across patients with BFRBs. These data suggest that whereas symptom nature/severity is important in determining impairment, so too are other variables commonly unmeasured in clinical practice. Outcomes for patients may thus be maximized by rigorously addressing comorbid disorders; as well as integrating components designed to enhance top-down control and stress management. Interestingly, focused picking and emotional pulling were linked to worse disability, hinting at some differences between the two types of BFRBs, in terms of determinants of impairment.

Broad and Narrow Transdiagnostic Risk Factors in Eating Disorders: A Preliminary Study on an Italian Clinical Sample

Eating disorders are multifaceted psychopathologies and the transdiagnostic approach is currently considered a useful framework to understand their complexity. This preliminary study aimed to investigate both broad (i.e., intolerance of uncertainty and emotion dysregulation) and narrow (i.e., extreme body dissatisfaction) transdiagnostic risk factors underlying eating disorders. 50 Italian female patients seeking treatment for an eating disorder were involved (M_age = 31.6 years ± 12.8, 18–65). They completed self-report measures assessing emotion regulation difficulties, intolerance of uncertainty, extreme body dissatisfaction, general psychological distress, and eating disorder symptomatology. To explore whether the abovementioned transdiagnostic factors predicted patients’ psychological distress and eating disorder symptoms, two linear regressions were performed. Emotion dysregulation emerged as the only significant predictor of distress, while extreme body dissatisfaction was the only significant predictor of overall eating disorder symptomatology. Then, to analyze the differences between patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation problems, t-tests were conducted. The two groups differed significantly in intolerance of uncertainty levels only, with higher scores obtained by patients with anorexia nervosa. Overall, our findings suggest that emotion dysregulation and extreme body dissatisfaction may be relevant constructs in eating disorders in general, while intolerance of uncertainty may be more involved in restrictive eating disorders. The clinical implications of such results are discussed.

The Multidimensional Youth Body Dysmorphic Inventory: Development and Preliminary Validation

A new measure specifically designed for adolescents to assess body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptoms is needed to identify youth who could benefit from intervention to reduce their BDD-related symptomology. To address this gap, the Multidimensional Youth Body Dysmorphic Inventory (MY BODI) was developed and the psychometric properties were evaluated. Following development and expert assessment, Australian secondary school students (N = 582; 55% female; M_age = 13.62, SD = 1.59, aged 11 to 18 years, grades 7 to 12) completed a survey with the new items and validation measures. Results from the factor analysis supported a 3-factor, 21-items measure, which aligned with the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria of Impairment/avoidance, Preoccupation/repetitive behaviours, and Insight/distress. Supporting the convergent validity of the measure, the MY BODI total score and sub-scale scores correlated with measures of BDD symptoms, including the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire-Adolescent Version (BDDQ-A). This study provides preliminary validation of the MY BODI, a self-report measure of BDD symptoms and symptom severity, using a response set aimed to facilitate more reliable reporting, which may identify risk for BDD, and symptoms of BDD.

Body dysmorphic disorder and its associated psychological and psychopathological features in an Italian community sample

OBJECTIVE

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by preoccupation with perceived defects in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others, along with low self-esteem, high perfectionism, and high comorbidity. Little is known about BDD prevalence and phenomenology in the Italian context, and no data are currently available on BDD prevalence using DSM-5 criteria in the Italian context. The aims of the current study were to explore the prevalence and the phenomenology of BDD and its associated psychological and psychopathological features such as self-esteem, perfectionistic traits, social anxiety, depressive, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a community sample.

METHODS

Six hundred and fifteen community individuals completed a battery of self-report questionnaires.

RESULTS

10 (1.63%) individuals met DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for BDD; hair, nose and teeth were the most common areas of concern. Individuals with BDD reported also lower levels of self-esteem, more severe social anxiety symptomatology, general distress, depression and obsessive-compulsive features than people without BDD.

CONCLUSIONS

BDD is not a rare condition in the Italian context and it emerged to be associated with significant morbidity.

A multi-method analysis of distress tolerance in body dysmorphic disorder

Distress tolerance (DT) is a transdiagnostic construct linked to multiple psychiatric disorders. We conducted three studies using different methods to investigate the relationship between DT and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Study 1 found a significant relationship between low DT and more severe BDD symptoms in an adult community sample (N=81). In Study 2, we found a similar relationship between lower DT and greater BDD symptoms in a student sample (N=192). Furthermore, we found a unique relationship between greater BDD symptoms and lower self-reported tolerance of anger and sadness mood induction tasks. Greater BDD symptoms were not significantly associated with lower self-reported tolerance of a fear mood induction task. In Study 3, a clinical sample of individuals with BDD (N=40) reported lower DT than a sample of healthy controls (N=36). Findings suggest that low DT is a broad vulnerability factor related to BDD.

Sex Differences in the Presentation of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in a Community Sample of Adolescents

The current study sought to explore sex differences in the presentation of probable full-syndrome and subthreshold body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in adolescents from an Australian community sample. Specifically, it examined sex differences in the types of BDD symptoms endorsed, body areas of concern, and the association with elevated symptoms of comorbid disorders. In male participants, it also compared the presenting features of those with and without muscle dysmorphia. Of 3,149 adolescents assessed using self-report questionnaires, 162 (5.1%) reported probable BDD (57.4% male, M_age = 14.89 years, SD = 1.33, primarily from Oceanian or European cultural backgrounds). All participants completed measures of BDD symptoms; past mental health service use; and symptoms of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders. Male participants completed additional measures of quality of life, drive for muscularity, hyperactivity, conduct disorder, peer problems, and emotional symptoms. Controlling for demographic variables that varied by sex, male and female participants reported similar BDD symptom severity, rates of most elevated comorbid symptoms, and mental health service use. Concerns regarding muscularity, breasts/nipples, and thighs differed by sex. Female participants were more likely than male participants to report elevated generalized anxiety symptoms. In male participants, muscle dysmorphia was not associated with greater severity across most measures. The presenting features of BDD were broadly similar in male and female participants, and in male participants with and without muscle dysmorphia. Future research should seek to increase mental health service use in adolescents with BDD and to improve rates of disorder detection in clinical settings.

Improving the Detection of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Clinical Practice

The aim of this article is to raise awareness of the underdiagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in clinical practice and provide suggestions to overcome key barriers to BDD detection. Disclosure of BDD symptoms is uncommon during routine assessments but can be increased by asking specifically about such symptoms. When BDD symptoms are present, it is important to differentiate them from anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders, which may present with some similarities and are commonly comorbid with BDD. Assessment of BDD should be sensitive to issues of poor insight, elevated suicide risk, subthreshold BDD presentations, and the possibility of BDD by proxy. Furthermore, assessment should consider the potential impact of age, gender, ethnicity, and minor physical defects on the presentation of BDD. Improving the assessment of BDD in routine clinical practice will enhance disclosure, improve case conceptualization, and provide the opportunity to deliver appropriate treatment for this underdiagnosed and often serious disorder.

'Not just right' experiences and incompleteness in body dysmorphic disorder

The current studies examined the role of 'not just right' experiences (NJREs) and incompleteness (INC) in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). In Study 1, a clinical BDD sample endorsed more severe NJREs than healthy controls, when controlling co-occurring symptoms of depression and anxiety. In Study 2, INC predicted reactivity to an in vivo task designed to evoke BDD-related concerns in an unselected sample. Study 3 demonstrated a positive relationship between INC and BDD symptom severity in a community sample. Study 4 examined in vivo sensory NJRE tasks and INC in a sample high and low in BDD symptoms. The high symptom group reported greater INC and reactivity to a visual NJRE task than their low symptom counterparts, when controlling for co-occurring symptoms of depression, anxiety, and OC symptoms. No group differences were observed for tasks assessing auditory and tactile NJREs. These studies demonstrate a unique relationship between INC/NJREs and BDD.

Anxiety and Shame as Risk Factors for Depression, Suicidality, and Functional Impairment in Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are associated with elevated depression, suicidality, functional impairment, and days housebound, yet little research has identified risk factors for these outcomes. Using path analysis, the present study examined anxiety and shame as risk factors for these outcomes across Internet-recruited self-report groups (BDD [n = 114], OCD [n = 114], and healthy control [HC; n = 133]). Paths from anxiety and shame to outcomes were similar and mostly significant across BDD and OCD, compared to non-significant paths for HCs, with one exception: the path from shame to depression was significant in the BDD group (b = 0.32) but non-significant in the OCD group (b = 0.07). Findings underscore similarities in BDD and OCD, supporting their reclassification into the same Obsessive Compulsive Related Disorders category. Results emphasize the importance of targeting shame, in addition to anxiety, in treatments for BDD and OCD.

Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS): Brazilian Portuguese translation, cultural adaptation and validation

OBJECTIVE

To translate, culturally adapt, and validate a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS).

METHODS

Ninety-three patients of both sexes seeking rhinoplasty were consecutively selected at the Plastic Surgery Outpatient Clinic of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil, between May 2012 and March 2013. The BDD-YBOCS was translated into Brazilian Portuguese. Thirty patients participated in the cultural adaptation of the scale. The final version was tested for reliability in 20 patients, and for construct validity in 43 patients (correlation of the BDD-YBOCS with the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination [BDDE]).

RESULTS

Total Cronbach's alpha was 0.918. The BDD-YBOCS had excellent inter-rater (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.934; p < 0.001) and intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.999; p < 0.001). Significant differences in BDD-YBOCS scores were found between patients with and without BDD symptoms (p < 0.001), and among patients with different levels of BDD severity (p < 0.001). A strong correlation (r = 0.781; p < 0.001) was observed between the BDDE and the BDD-YBOCS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.851, suggesting a very good accuracy for discriminating between presence and absence of BDD symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the BDD-YBOCS is a reliable instrument, showing face, content and construct validity.

Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Symptoms and Body Weight Concerns in Patients Seeking Abdominoplasty

BACKGROUND

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is one of the most common psychiatric conditions found in patients seeking cosmetic surgery, and body contouring surgery is most frequently sought by patients with BDD.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence and severity of BDD symptoms in patients seeking abdominoplasty.

METHODS

Ninety patients of both sexes were preoperatively divided into two groups: patients with BDD symptoms (n = 51) and those without BDD symptoms (n = 39) based both on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination (BDDE) and clinical assessment. Patients in the BDD group were classified as having mild to moderate or severe symptoms, according to the BDDE. Body weight and shape concerns were assessed using the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ).

RESULTS

The prevalence of BDD symptoms was 57%. There were significant associations between BDD symptoms and degree of body dissatisfaction, level of preoccupation with physical appearance, and avoidance behaviors. Mild to moderate and severe symptoms of BDD were present in 41% and 59% of patients, respectively, in the BDD group. It was found that the more severe the symptoms of BDD, the higher the level of concern with body weight and shape (P < .001). Patients having distorted self-perception of body shape, or distorted comparative perception of body image were respectively 3.67 or 5.93 times more likely to show more severe symptoms of BDD than those with a more accurate perception.

CONCLUSIONS

Candidates for abdominoplasty had a high prevalence of BDD symptoms, and body weight and shape concerns were associated with increased symptom severity.

Intolerance of uncertainty in body dysmorphic disorder

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is a transdiagnostic construct associated with several anxiety and related disorders. Three studies were conducted to explore the potential relationship between IU and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Study 1 revealed a positive relationship between IU and BDD symptoms above symptoms of anxiety and depression in an unselected student sample (N=88). Study 2 demonstrated a similar relationship between IU and BDD symptoms above negative affectivity and intolerance of ambiguity in a community sample (N=116). Study 3 found that a clinical BDD sample (N=23) reported greater IU than healthy controls (N=20), though this relationship was accounted for by symptoms of anxiety and depression. Greater IU predicted functional impairment in the clinical sample above BDD symptoms and past-week anxiety and depression. The observed relationship between IU and BDD symptoms provides preliminary support for the relevance of IU to this population.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents With Body Dysmorphic Disorder

OBJECTIVE

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) typically starts in adolescence, but evidence-based treatments are yet to be developed and formally evaluated in this age group. We designed an age-appropriate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol for adolescents with BDD and evaluated its acceptability and efficacy in a pilot randomized controlled trial.

METHOD

Thirty adolescents aged 12 to 18 years (mean = 16.0, SD = 1.7) with a primary diagnosis of BDD, together with their families, were randomly assigned to 14 sessions of CBT delivered over 4 months or a control condition of equivalent duration, consisting of written psycho-education materials and weekly telephone monitoring. Blinded evaluators assessed participants at baseline, midtreatment, posttreatment, and at 2-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for BDD, Adolescent Version (mean baseline score = 37.13, SD = 4.98, range = 24-43).

RESULTS

The CBT group showed a significantly greater improvement than the control group, both at posttreatment (time × group interaction coefficient [95% CI] = -11.26 [-17.22 to -5.31]; p = .000) and at 2-month follow-up (time × group interaction coefficient [95% CI] = -9.62 [-15.74 to -3.51]; p = .002). Six participants (40%) in the CBT group and 1 participant (6.7%) in the control condition were classified as responders at both time points (χ(2) = 4.658, p = .031). Improvements were also seen on secondary measures, including insight, depression, and quality of life at posttreatment. Both patients and their families deemed the treatment as highly acceptable.

CONCLUSION

Developmentally tailored CBT is a promising intervention for young people with BDD, although there is significant room for improvement. Further clinical trials incorporating lessons learned in this pilot study and comparing CBT and pharmacological therapies, as well as their combination, are warranted.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents With Body Dysmorphic Disorder; http://www.isrctn.com/; ISRCTN67699666.

Patients with mild to moderate body dysmorphic disorder may benefit from rhinoplasty

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is one of the most common psychiatric conditions found in patients seeking cosmetic surgery. BDD is also a challenge for plastic surgeons because it is still an underdiagnosed mental disorder. The aims of this study were to prospectively investigate whether patients with mild to moderate BDD are suitable for rhinoplasty, and to assess BDD severity and patient satisfaction with the surgical outcome 1 year after the intervention. All women (n = 116) seeking rhinoplasty at a university hospital between September 2009 and August 2010 were recruited for the study and assessed for BDD. The final sample consisted of 31 patients aged 32 (standard deviation (SD), 10) years with mild to moderate BDD who underwent rhinoplasty. The participants were assessed preoperatively (baseline) and 1 year postoperatively with the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination (BDDE). Most patients (22/31, 71%) were of African descent. Socio-demographic variables and the extent of the nasal deformities had no effect on the severity of BDD symptoms and patient satisfaction with surgery outcome. At the 1-year postoperative follow-up, there was a significant decrease from baseline in BDDE scores and time spent by patients worrying about their appearance; 25 (25/31, 81%) patients experienced complete remission from BDD and 28 (28/31, 90%) were satisfied with the results of surgery. Rhinoplasty may be indicated in the treatment of female patients with mild to moderate BDD.

A comparison study of body dysmorphic disorder versus social phobia

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) shares many characteristics with social phobia (SP), including high levels of social anxiety and avoidance, but to our knowledge no studies have directly compared these disorders' demographic and clinical features. Demographic and clinical features were compared in individuals with BDD (n=172), SP (n=644), and comorbid BDD/SP (n=125). SP participants had a significantly earlier age of onset and lower educational attainment than BDD participants. BDD participants were significantly less likely to ever be married than SP participants, had a greater likelihood of ever being psychiatrically hospitalized, and had significantly lower mean GAF scores than SP participants. The two groups had different comorbidity patterns, which included a greater likelihood for BDD participants to have comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or an eating disorder, vs. a greater likelihood for SP participants to have a comorbid non-OCD anxiety disorder. The comorbid BDD/SP group had significantly greater morbidity across several domains than the SP only group, but not the BDD only group. In summary, although BDD and SP were similar across many demographic and clinical features, they had important differences. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and address similarities and differences between these disorders across a broader range of variables.

Quality of life in body dysmorphic disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has a significant impact on the patients' quality of life (QOL). This is an initial literature review of QOL in patients with BDD, examining the extent of QOL impairments, the impact of psychiatric comorbidity on QOL, and the effect of treatment on QOL in BDD. Studies were identified through PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO searches from 1960-2011 using the keywords: "quality of life," "body dysmorphic disorder," "dysmorphophobia," and "body image." Studies included in this review were selected using specific criteria by two authors reaching consensus. Most BDD research studies have used symptom severity measures mainly to study BDD and its treatments. BBD with or without comorbidities is significantly associated with poor QOL and functioning. Studies show that treatment of BDD, either by psychopharmacological treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or cognitive behavior therapy, might have positive effects on QOL, although these results need to be replicated in larger studies. In conclusion, QOL could add significant value to the assessment of BDD if used as one of the primary measures in research and clinical work in BDD, by providing more information and clearer understanding on the impact of the illness on satisfaction with activities of daily life and overall sense of wellbeing before and after treatment.