Age at Onset and Clinical Course of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Abstract

This chapter reviews studies that have been conducted to determine the age at onset and course of illness of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Age at onset has been examined in two large samples, and the mean age at onset was the same in both studies (16.7 years). About two thirds of people had onset of BDD before age 18. There were more similarities than differences between the early-onset group (before age 18) and the later-onset group, although the early-onset group had a higher prevalence of attempted suicide than the late-onset group in both samples. The clinical course of BDD is often chronic unless appropriate treatment is received. These findings point to the need for early education on healthy body image and treatment interventions for BDD, especially among adolescents.