Appearance-related social-evaluative and self-evaluative concerns in body dysmorphic disorder, 2012 (original) (raw)
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Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) concerns may be on a continuum with normal appearance concerns, differing only quantitatively. As emerging evidence suggests that an increased aesthetic sensitivity plays a role in BDD, individuals withBDD(n = 50) were compared with a control group of individuals with an education or employment in art and design related fields (n = 50) and a control group of individuals without aesthetic training (n = 50). Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and a series of measures for depression, BDD symptomatology, and body image. Most controls (with and without aesthetic training) reported appearance concerns and expressed comparable ideals to those with BDD. However, BDD participants differed by using negative, emotive, and morally based descriptions for their defect(s), spending a greater time preoccupied with their defect(s) causing increased interference with functioning, performing appearance-related behaviors more frequently, and experiencing greater distress when performing those behaviors.
Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy, 2013
Background: At present there are no measures to identify the cognitive processes and behaviours that might mediate the outcome of treatment in people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Aims: To develop and validate a process measure that can be used to assess the progress of patients throughout therapy and in research for BDD. Method: The psychometric properties of the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI) were explored in a clinical group of participants diagnosed with BDD (Study 1) and in a non-clinical community group with high appearance concerns (Study 2). Item characteristics, reliability, and factor structure were analysed. Convergent validity with measures of related symptoms was assessed. Results: The AAI was found to have good test-retest reliability and convergent validity in the measurement of appearance anxiety. It was also sensitive to change during treatment. The scale was found to have a two-factor structure in the clinical group, with one factor characterized by avoidance, and a second factor comprised of threat monitoring. However, in the community sample it appeared to have a one-factor structure. Conclusion: The results suggest that the AAI has the psychometric properties to determine whether changes in cognitive processes and behaviours can mediate the outcome following treatment in patients with BDD. This supports its potential usefulness in clinical and research settings.
Appearance Comparison in individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder and controls, 2015
Research investigating appearance comparison in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) remains very limited,despite the fact that this is one of the most commonly observed behaviors in individuals with the disorder.The present study investigated the self-reported extent and nature of appearance comparison in 35 BDDparticipants relative to 45 controls using a newly devised and a standardized appearance comparisonmeasure. The results showed that BDD participants reported significantly higher levels of appearancecomparison than controls. Individuals with BDD also reported greater levels of comparing in terms of thespecific feature(s) of their appearance they were most concerned about as compared to overall appear-ance, whilst controls showed the opposite pattern. Levels of comparing in BDD participants increased astargets increased in terms of attractiveness, and individuals with BDD rated themselves as being markedlyless attractive than targets, and feeling markedly less satisfied with their appearance after comparing. Cognitive-behavioral treatment implications are discussed.
Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 2013
Introduction: Physical attractiveness has been of concern in different cultures and at different times. Physical attractiveness can influence one's thoughts and actions, and concerns regarding body image can be destructive, giving rise to psychological problems. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of body dysmorphic concerns, related sex differences and comorbidity with social anxiety and obsessive beliefs. Method: Using a stratified and cluster sampling procedure, 1,200 males and females were randomly selected. Self-report measures on body image, social anxiety and obsessive beliefs were distributed of which 843 completed questionnaires (54.9% males and 45.1% females) were returned (return rate of 70.25%). Therefore, data pertaining to 463 males and 380 females ranging in age from 17 to 20 years with a mean age of 18.12 years (SD = 1.06) were analyzed. Results: Findings suggest a prevalence rate of 19.1% for body dysmorphic disorder, 23.6% for social anxiety and 8.8% for obsessive beliefs. Both social anxiety and obsessive beliefs were found to be comorbid with body dysmorphic concerns. The percentage of individuals reporting comorbid social anxiety (12.9%) was greater than that of those reporting comorbid obsessive beliefs (6.4%). Males with body dysmorphic concerns reported more obsessive beliefs (8.2% versus 4.1%), while their female counterparts reported more social anxiety (23.4% versus 4.2%). Discussion: In males, body image concerns appear to be more cognitive in quality, while in females, body image concerns seem more emotional in tone. As the measures used do not yield formal diagnoses, findings should be viewed with caution.
Appearance comparison in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder and controls
Body image, 2015
Research investigating appearance comparison in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) remains very limited, despite the fact that this is one of the most commonly observed behaviors in individuals with the disorder. The present study investigated the self-reported extent and nature of appearance comparison in 35 BDD participants relative to 45 controls using a newly devised and a standardized appearance comparison measure. The results showed that BDD participants reported significantly higher levels of appearance comparison than controls. Individuals with BDD also reported greater levels of comparing in terms of the specific feature(s) of their appearance they were most concerned about as compared to overall appearance, whilst controls showed the opposite pattern. Levels of comparing in BDD participants increased as targets increased in terms of attractiveness, and individuals with BDD rated themselves as being markedly less attractive than targets, and feeling markedly less satisfied with...
Advances in a cognitive behavioural model of body dysmorphic disorder, 2004
Body Image, 2004
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is the most distressing and handicapping of all the body image disorders. A cognitive behavioural model of BDD is discussed which incorporates evidence from recent studies and advances in the author's 1996 conceptual model. The model aims to understand the maintenance of symptoms in BDD, to assist in the process of engagement of therapy and to guide the strategies to use. At the core of BDD is an excessive self-focussed attention on a distorted body image, the negative appraisal of such images leading to rumination, changes in mood and the use of safety behaviours. Evidence for possible risk factors in the development of BDD is also discussed.
Body dysmorphic disorder: A cognitive behavioural model and pilot randomised controlled trial
Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1996
A cognitive behavioural model of body image is presented with specific reference to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). We make specific hypotheses from the model for testing BDD patients in comparison with: (i) patients with "real" disfigurements who seek cosmetic surgery; (ii) subjects with "real" disfigurements who are emotionally well adjusted; and (iii) healthy controls without any defect. There have been no randomised controlled trials of treatment for BDD and therefore the model has clear implications for the development of cognitive behavioural therapy. This was evaluated in a pilot controlled trial. Nineteen patients were randomly allocated to either cognitive behaviour therapy or a waiting list control group over 12 weeks. There were no significant pre-post differences on any of the measures in the waiting list group. There were significant changes in the treated group on specific measures of BDD and depressed mood. Cognitive behaviour therapy should be further evaluated in a larger controlled trial in comparison with another psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy and pharmacotherapy.
Body dysmorphic disorder: A cognitive behavioural model and pilot RCT, 1996
Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1996
A cognitive behavioural model of body image is presented with specific reference to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). We make specific hypotheses from the model for testing BDD patients in comparison with: (i) patients with "real" disfigurements who seek cosmetic surgery; (ii) subjects with "real" disfigurements who are emotionally well adjusted; and (iii) healthy controls without any defect. There have been no randomised controlled trials of treatment for BDD and therefore the model has clear implications for the development of cognitive behavioural therapy. This was evaluated in a pilot controlled trial. Nineteen patients were randomly allocated to either cognitive behaviour therapy or a waiting list control group over 12 weeks. There were no significant pre-post differences on any of the measures in the waiting list group. There were significant changes in the treated group on specific measures of BDD and depressed mood. Cognitive behaviour therapy should be further evaluated in a larger controlled trial in comparison with another psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy and pharmacotherapy.