The Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in the United States Adult Population

Abstract

Objective:In clinical samples, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is associated with substantial suffering and reduced quality of life. Limited surveys report widely varying prevalence estimates. To better establish the prevalence of BDD, we conducted a United States nationwide prevalence survey.Method:We conducted a random sample national household telephone survey in the spring and summer of 2004 and interviewed 2,513 adults, of whom 2,048 qualified for the BDD-module administration. The computer-assisted, structured interviews, conducted by trained lay interviewers, addressed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for BDD, along with information regarding several impulse-control disorders and the respondents' financial and demographic data.Results:The rate of response was 56.3%, which compared favorably with rates in federal national health surveys. The cooperation rate was 97.6%. Respondents included a higher percentage of women and people >55 years of age than in the US adult population, and a lower percentage of Hispanics. The estimated point prevalence of DSM-IV BDD among respondents was 2.4% (49/2,048) (by gender: 2.5% for women, 2.2% for men), exceeding the prevalence of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder type I and about that of generalized anxiety disorder. BDD prevalence decreased after 44 years of age, and a larger proportion of BDD respondents were never married. Of those meeting DSM-IV criteria for BDD, 90% (45/49) met the DSM-IV distress criterion, and 51% (25/49) met the interference-with-functioning criterion.Conclusion:A study using clinically valid interviews is needed to evaluate these results. Such studies could inform treatment by documenting rates of seeking treatment from various sources, suicide attempt rates, and the prevalence of comorbid conditions.

Imagery Rescripting for Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Multiple-Baseline Single-Case Experimental Design

“…To fulfill the diagnostic criteria, they must also experience clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The prevalence of BDD is reported to be up to 2.4% in the US population (Koran, Abujaoude, Large, & Serpe, 2008). BDD is a chronic condition, which usually develops during adolescence and has significant negative impact on quality of life (Phillips, 2000).…”

Holistic versus detailed visual processing in body dysmorphic disorder: Testing the inversion, composite and global precedence effects

“…BDD is relatively common, with prevalence estimates ranging between 1 -2% in the general population (Rief et al, 2006;Koran et al, 2008;Buhlmann et al, 2010). The symptoms of BDD have been associated with substantial psychiatric comorbidity (Gunstad and Phillips, 2003;Pavan et al, 2008), poor quality of life (Didie et al, 2007) and alarmingly high suicide rates (Phillips et al, 2005a).…”

Validation of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire in a community sample of Swedish women

“…As the prevalence of BDD was higher in the interview sample compared to the total sample, at least part of the explanation is probably that women with BDD are more likely to be single. Previous large population studies have reported that individuals with BDD are more frequently divorced or single than individuals without BDD (Rief et al, 2006;Koran et al, 2008). This is not surprising, since the disorder often leads to impaired functioning in relationships, socializing and intimacy (Phillips, 1991).…”

“…BDD appears to be relatively common. The three largest studies (n>2000) in general populations found BDD prevalence rates of 1.7-2.4% (Rief et al, 2006;Koran et al, 2008;Buhlmann et al, 2010). Using structured clinical interviews examining community samples, prevalence rates of 0.7-3% have been reported (Faravelli et al, 1997;Bienvenu et al, 2000;Otto et al, 2001).…”