Body dysmorphic disorder therefore is characterised by certain key and associated features, specifically preoccupying obsessions with a particular body part that the person considers unattractive. Cases of body dysmorphic disorder can range from relatively mild to very severe. People with mild cases are bothered and distressed, and their obsessions cause some degree of impairment. The patient is preoccupied with an imagined defect of appearance or is excessively concerned about a slight physical anomaly. This preoccupation causes clinically important distress or impairs work, social or personal functioning.
Some disorders display similar or sometimes even the same symptom.
The clinician, therefore, in his diagnostic attempt has to differentiate against the following disorders which one needs to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis. Although we still do not have a single clear cause for body dysmorphic disorder, authorities believe that biological, psychological and perhaps even social or cultural factors contribute to its origins. The cognitive aspects involve discovering, challenging and changing the underlying negative thoughts and beliefs the sufferer keeps thinking. The treatment's behavioral components usually focus on exposure and response prevention. Exposure usually involves having the sufferer gradually learn to face and confront the situations they fear the most, such as going into public places or exposing their embarrassing body part to others' scrutiny without hiding or camouflaging it.