Although there is a growing awareness of this disorder, BDD appears to be underdiagnosed and may be more common than previously believed. Individuals with BDD are obsessed with the idea that they look deformed and spend hours each day thinking about it. Feelings of low self-esteem, shame, and fear of rejection are common, and current data report that more than half of those with BDD also have major depression. However, any area of the body can be the focus, and most persons with BDD have concerns about more than one area. BDD is a distressing and disabling disease.
Most individuals have some degree of social, as well as occupational and academic impairment.
Although some individuals appear to be functioning well, they may not be realizing their full potential. Others may be housebound and suicidal. Others may try to perform their own surgery. Many individuals with BDD will seek nonpsychiatric treatment, and plastic surgeons may be consulted. Although prospective studies are limited, it appears that most patients with BDD are dissatisfied with their result if surgery is performed.