Preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance. If a slight physical anomaly is present, the person's concern is markedly excessive. The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. The preoccupation is not better accounted for by another mental disorder, such as anorexia nervosa. The obsessive-compulsive spectrum refers to a series of major psychiatric conditions defined by the presence of obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions are intrusive ideas, thoughts, or images that cause much anxiety and distress.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety produced by obsessions. In the case of BDD, patients experience intrusive negative thoughts related to their appearance and perform many behaviors in order to cope with the imagined defect, such as repeated mirror checking. The essential symptom of BDD is the presence of repetitive and intrusive thoughts about one's physical appearance. The preoccupation interferes with daily living and is very distressing to the individual. These repetitive thoughts often lead to certain behaviors meant to disguise or cope with the imagined defect.