A 31-year-old man is preoccupied with a perceived slight bump on his nose. He spends three to four hours daily examining it in mirrors, seeks repeated reassurance, and has had two rhinoplasties that he felt worsened the appearance. He is now housebound. Which OCD-related diagnosis applies?
- A Illness anxiety disorder
- B Body dysmorphic disorder ✓
- C Somatic symptom disorder
- D Narcissistic personality disorder
Correct answer: B. Body dysmorphic disorder
Explanation
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) involves preoccupation with one or more perceived defects in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others. Patients engage in repetitive behaviours (mirror-checking, skin-picking, reassurance-seeking) or mental acts in response to the appearance concerns, causing significant distress or impairment. BDD is classified with OCD and related disorders. Seeking surgical or dermatological procedures is common, and post-procedure satisfaction is rare. SSRIs and CBT are first-line treatments.
Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.