Assessment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder : Screening, Diagnosis, Severity, and Insight

Abstract

This chapter discusses assessment of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), including diagnosis and screening as well as potential diagnostic pitfalls and how to avoid them. Measures used to screen for BDD, diagnose BDD, and assess BDD severity and BDD-related insight are reviewed, and guidelines for their use are provided. This chapter also discusses assessment of BDD in children and adolescents and assessment of patients who seek cosmetic procedures (such as surgery or dermatologic treatment) for appearance concerns. Because BDD is common, often severe, and usually missed in clinical settings, clinicians and researchers should routinely screen for BDD. Screening is especially recommended in mental health, substance abuse, dermatology, cosmetic surgery, and other cosmetic treatment settings. It is also important to screen for BDD when patients manifest clues suggesting a possible diagnosis of BDD (e.g., BDD rituals, camouflaging of disliked body areas, and social anxiety or avoidance).