Body dysmorphic disorder

body dysmorphic disorder, which is characterized by a preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance, was first recognized as a distinct disorder in 1987 in the DSM-III-R. In the relatively brief time since this recognition, great strides have been made in the understanding of its characteristics, comorbidities, and treatment. An overview of the characteristics and comorbidities is provided, while the relationship of body dysmorphic disorder to other disorders, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder, is examined. First-line therapies for body dysmorphic disorder (i.e., serotonin reuptake inhibitor and cognitive-behavioral therapies) also are discussed.