Adolescent Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Abstract

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by preoccupation with nonexistent or slight defects in physical appearance, that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Point prevalence of BDD is 1,7-2,5% in general population, with two thirds of the cases beginning in adolescence. There are significant classificatory differences to take into account. Whereas ICD-10 classifies it among Somatoform Disorders, DSM-5 and future ICD-11 do it among obsessive compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related Disorders. Furthermore, diagnostic doubts may arise with psychotic disorders or eating disorders. We present the case of a 16-years old girl, whose symptoms raised the questions previously exposed. We finally opted for BDD diagnosis, according to DSM-5 and ICD-11 classifications (OCD and related disorders). The patient was treated accordingly and she has progressed favorably. There are two main objectives in this article. First, to update the reader on the classificatory change of BDD in the ICD-11, which resembles the American point of view of this disorder, that is the one which we base our study on. Second, to deepen on the differential diagnosis, as it is not an easy task and this is evidenced by the classificatory change previously mentioned.