Body Dysmorphic Disorder or Appearance Preoccupation Common in Teens

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), defined as excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in personal appearance, affects almost two in every 100 teens, according to areport in theJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The report also found that BDD is much more common in girls than boys.Moreover, children and adolescents with BDD are highly likely to have other psychiatric disorders —especially depression and anxiety—and to experience psychosocial problems, self-harm and/or suicide attempts.“Since young people with BDD tend not to spontaneously disclose their symptoms unless directly asked, it is crucial that clinicians utilize BDD screening tools and ask young people directly about appearance concerns,” wrote lead author Georgina Krebs, Ph.D., D.Clin.Psy., of University College Lo ndon, and colleagues. “Screening for BDD in young people with anxiety disorders and depression, the most common comorbidities, is likely to improve detection.”The researchers analyzed data from 7,654 children and young people aged 5-19 who completed the 2017 Mental Health of Children and Young People in England survey with their parents/guardians. BDD was assessed using the Developmental and Well-Being Assessment, a standardized screening tool that includes a question on whether the child is ever concerned how he/she looks. Children who answered ‘A little’ or ‘A lot’ were presented with a series of other questions related toDSM-5 diagnostic criteria f...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: anxiety appearance BDD body dysmorphic disorder body image child and adolescent psychiatry JAACAP psychosocial impairment teens Source Type: research