Abstract
This report prospectively examines the course of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) for up to 8 years in a sample of 514 participants in the Harvard/Brown Anxiety Research Project, a naturalistic, longitudinal study of anxiety disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) BDD was assessed with a reliable semi-structured measure. For participants with BDD, severity of BDD symptoms was assessed with the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation Psychiatric Status Rating scale. At the initial assessment, 17 participants (3.3%; 95% confidence interval = 1.8%-4.8%) had current BDD; 22 (4.3%; 95% confidence interval = 2.6%-6.1%) had lifetime BDD. Participants with BDD had significantly lower Global Assessment Scale scores than those without BDD, indicating poorer functioning. The probability of full recovery from BDD was 0.76, and probability of recurrence, once remitted, was 0.14 over the 8 years. In conclusion, among individuals ascertained for anxiety disorders, the probability of recovering from BDD was relatively high and probability of BDD recurrence was low.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
