Typical signs and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder include the following:[1][2]
- Constant preoccupation with one or more physical characteristics
- Repetitive behaviors (e.g., mirror checking, skin picking, excessive grooming, frequent changing of clothes, reassurance seeking, counting hair loss)
- Difficulties in making friends, dating, or engaging in romantic relationships
- Poor concentration leading to an impaired performance at work or school
Depression is also frequently observed in people affected by BDD, either as a pre-existing condition or as a direct consequence of body dysmorphia. Clinicians must screen patients for conditions that share symptoms with BDD (e.g., OCD, social phobia, depression, eating disorders) and which may confound the diagnosis of body dysmorphia.[1][3]