Open AccessBody Dysmorphic Disorder in Patients With Cosmetic Surgery
Author(s) -
Lai ChungSheng,
Lee SuShin,
Yeh YiChun,
Chen ChengSheng
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the kaohsiung journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.439
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2410-8650
pISSN - 1607-551X
DOI - 10.1016/s1607-551x(10)70075-9
Subject(s) - medicine , body dysmorphic disorder , surgery , general surgery , dermatology , psychiatry
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) refers to a preoccupation with an imagined or grossly exaggerated minor physical defect. Those with BDD might seek medical help (cosmetic surgery) rather than attend a psychiatric clinic. Therefore, it is often underdiagnosed. To investigate the prevalence of BDD, we reviewed the medical records of 817 individuals who sought cosmetic surgery during a 3‐year period. The outcome after surgery was described for those with BDD. Our results showed that 63 (7.7%) patients had BDD, of which 54 (85.7%) were diagnosed at preoperative evaluation. However, nine (14.3%) patients went undiagnosed and all had a bad outcome after cosmetic surgery. BDD was not uncommon at the cosmetic surgery clinic. Our results support the idea that cosmetic surgery should be avoided for patients with BDD. The development of a more effective diagnostic procedure could help address this issue.