Common Name(s):
Appearance Anxiety
Alternative Names & Classifications:
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (CLINICAL)
Description
Body dysmorphic disorder traps individuals in a severe, debilitating preoccupation with minor or imagined physical defects, most commonly involving the skin, hair, or nose. It is closely related to the obsessive-compulsive spectrum, characterized by significant dysfunction in visual processing and executive control networks. The immense shame associated with the perceived deformity often drives severe social isolation and a high risk of suicidality.