J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 2017 May 25:1-13. Epub 2017 May 25.

a Department of Psychology , Macquarie University.

The current study sought to explore sex differences in the presentation of probable full-syndrome and subthreshold body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in adolescents from an Australian community sample. Specifically, it examined sex differences in the types of BDD symptoms endorsed, body areas of concern, and the association with elevated symptoms of comorbid disorders. In male participants, it also compared the presenting features of those with and without muscle dysmorphia. Read More

Clin Dermatol 2017 May - Jun;35(3):246-251. Epub 2017 Jan 22.

Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon.

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is defined by the prominence of somatic symptoms associated with abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the symptoms, resulting in significant distress and impairment. Individuals with these disorders are more commonly encountered in primary care and other medical settings, including dermatology practice, than in psychiatric and other mental health settings. What defines the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as abnormal is that they are excessive, that is, out of proportion to other patients with similar somatic symptoms, and that they result in significant distress and impairment. Read More

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2017 Apr 27;19(2). Epub 2017 Apr 27.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Saginaw, Michigan, USA.

Objective: Patients with skin diseases often have psychological problems and complications that require assessment and treatment. The main objective of this study was to explore attentiveness of dermatologists to psychiatric symptoms in their patients.

Methods: A previously validated online questionnaire was used to explore the attitude and experience of dermatologists practicing in the Middle East toward the assessment of the psychiatric needs of their patients. Read More

Psicothema 2017 May;29(2):166-171

Universidad de Valencia.

Introduction: Unwanted mental intrusions (UMI) constitute the normal variants of obsessions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), preoccupations about defects in Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), images about illness in Hypochondriasis (HYP), and thoughts about eating in Eating Disorders (EDs). We sought to investigate the relationships between frequency and discomfort associated with the experience of the four UMI contents, adopting a within-subject perspective.

Method: A group of 438 university students and community participants (Mage= 29. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 May;76(5):779-791

Department of Dermatology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Department of Dermatology, Medical School of Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil; GK Dermatology, PC, South Weymouth, Massachusetts. Electronic address:

Psychocutaneous disease, defined in this review as primary psychiatric disease with skin manifestations, is commonly encountered in dermatology. Dermatologists can play an important role in the management of psychocutaneous disease because patients visit dermatology for treatment of their skin problems but often refuse psychiatric intervention. This review describes common psychocutaneous syndromes, including delusional, factitious, obsessive-compulsive and related, and eating disorders, as well as psychogenic pruritus, cutaneous sensory (pain) syndromes, posttraumatic stress disorder, and sleep-wake disorders. Read More

J Oral Rehabil 2017 Jul 10;44(7):511-516. Epub 2017 May 10.

Department of Oral Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

The objectives of this study were to test the hypothesis that self-reported TMJ clicking sounds in adolescents are positively associated with non-specific somatic symptoms, self-perception of body image and care-seeking behaviour. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 353 young adolescents (48·4% females) recruited from community (N = 272) and orthodontic clinic (N = 81) settings. Assessments included self-reported TMJ clicking, non-specific physical symptoms, body image concerns and for the clinic sample only, the source of motivation for treatment. Read More

Wien Med Wochenschr 2017 Feb 20. Epub 2017 Feb 20.

Department of Nuclear Physics, Sub-nuclear and Radiation, G. Marconi University, Rome, Italy.

Body dysmorphic disorder is a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with an absent or minimal physical deformity. It causes severe distress and impairs normal functioning. In the last centuries, this disorder has been mentioned in the medical literature by important mental health practitioners by different names, such as "dysmorphophobia" or "dermatologic hypochondriasis". Read More

Transl Androl Urol 2017 Feb;6(1):69-78

Division of Plastic Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Penile elongation surgery is less commonly performed in the public sector, but involves a collaborative approach between urology and plastic surgery. Congenital and acquired micropenis are the classic surgical indications for penile elongation surgery. The goal of intervention in these patients is to restore a functional penis size in order to allow normal standing micturition, enable satisfying sexual intercourse and improve patient quality of life. Read More

Psychiatry Res 2017 May 31;251:125-130. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address:

The aim of the current study was to establish the prevalence of subthreshold body dysmorphic disorder (subthreshold-BDD) in a community sample of adolescents, and to compare disorder correlates in individuals with subthreshold-BDD to those with probable full-syndrome BDD (probable-BDD) and those without BDD (non-BDD). Self-report questionnaires assessing DSM-IV BDD criteria, past mental health service use, and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders, were completed by 3149 Australian high school students (mean age =14.6 years, 63. Read More

Acta Psychiatr Scand 2017 Jul 12;136(1):16-36. Epub 2017 Feb 12.

Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

Objective: Recent advances in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have explored abnormal visual processing, yet it is unclear how this relates to treatment. The aim of this study was to summarize our current understanding of visual processing in BDD and review associated treatments.

Method: The literature was collected through PsycInfo and PubMed. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017 Feb;156(2):205-219

17 Department of Research and Quality, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, USA.

Objective Rhinoplasty, a surgical procedure that alters the shape or appearance of the nose while preserving or enhancing the nasal airway, ranks among the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States, with >200,000 procedures reported in 2014. While it is difficult to calculate the exact economic burden incurred by rhinoplasty patients following surgery with or without complications, the average rhinoplasty procedure typically exceeds $4000. The costs incurred due to complications, infections, or revision surgery may include the cost of long-term antibiotics, hospitalization, or lost revenue from hours/days of missed work. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017 Feb;156(2_suppl):S1-S30

17 Department of Research and Quality, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, USA.

Objective Rhinoplasty, a surgical procedure that alters the shape or appearance of the nose while preserving or enhancing the nasal airway, ranks among the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States, with >200,000 procedures reported in 2014. While it is difficult to calculate the exact economic burden incurred by rhinoplasty patients following surgery with or without complications, the average rhinoplasty procedure typically exceeds $4000. The costs incurred due to complications, infections, or revision surgery may include the cost of long-term antibiotics, hospitalization, or lost revenue from hours/days of missed work. Read More

Psicothema 2017 Feb;29(1):23-28

Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío.

Background: We present the application of cognitive-behavioural therapy in a clinical case diagnosed with delusional dysmorphophobia.

Method: The psychometric scales used for evaluation were the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia, Beck Anxiety and Depression inventories, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale along with the degree of conviction in the delusional belief and in alternative explanations, and social functioning measured by patient reporting. The therapy included cognitive and behavioural techniques: evidence analysis, search for alternative explanations, logical and functional analysis, reality testing, progressive relaxation techniques, in vivo and imaginal exposure therapy. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2017 Feb;139(2):336-342

Groningen and Maastricht, The Netherlands From the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Groningen; the Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University; the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Groningen and University Medical Centre Groningen.

Background: Preoccupation with a perceived appearance flaw is the main feature of body dysmorphic disorder. The majority of these patients seek and often receive some sort of cosmetic procedure, although this condition is considered to be a contraindication. This study evaluates cosmetic professionals' recognition of body dysmorphic disorder and the way they act on this. Read More

Aesthetic Plast Surg 2017 Feb 28;41(1):90-97. Epub 2016 Dec 28.

Department of Neurosciences, Clinic of Plastic Surgery, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100, Padova, Italy.

Backgrounds: Obese patients, mainly females, feel uncomfortable and unsatisfied with their physical appearance; they have a wrong perception of their image and consequently diminish their self-esteem, sometimes showing difficulties in functional areas such as work, relationship, social activity. Beside health concerns, improving their appearance and body image are often common motives for weight loss in obese individuals and after weight loss about 30% of bariatric surgery patients undergo plastic surgical correction of excessive skin. The authors investigated psychological and psychiatric traits in post-bariatric patients undergoing body-contouring surgery to underline the strong correlation between psychiatry and obesity and avoid unsatisfactory results in post-bariatric patients. Read More

Obstet Gynecol 2017 01;129(1):e17-e19

The obstetrician-gynecologist may receive requests from adolescents and their families for advice, surgery, or referral for conditions of the breast or vulva to improve appearance and function. Appropriate counseling and guidance of adolescents with these concerns require a comprehensive and thoughtful approach, special knowledge of normal physical and psychosocial growth and development, and assessment of the physical maturity and emotional readiness of the patient. Individuals should be screened for body dysmorphic disorder. Read More

Clin Dermatol 2016 Nov - Dec;34(6):788-791. Epub 2016 Apr 9.

Department of Dermatology, Director, Boston University Center for Ethnic Skin, and Director of Research in Cosmetic and Laser Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Electronic address:

The deeply rooted fascination with beauty penetrates society worldwide. The indulgence to look and feel beautiful pervades all ages, genders, and nationalities, with research conferring a remarkable tendency to agree on measures of attractiveness among these disparate groups. Research has found that beautiful people do, in fact, receive more desirable outcomes in life and job satisfaction, family formation, and overall happiness. Read More

Genome Med 2016 12 13;8(1):131. Epub 2016 Dec 13.

Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Background: Krüppel-type zinc finger genes (ZNF) constitute a large yet relatively poorly characterized gene family. ZNF genes encode proteins that recognize specific DNA motifs in gene promotors. They act as transcriptional co-activators or -repressors via interaction with chromatin remodeling proteins and other transcription factors. Read More

Quant Imaging Med Surg 2016 Oct;6(5):515-524

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Section of Radiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.

Background: Mixed vascular nevus (or nevus vascularis mixtus) represents an admixture of cutaneous vascular malformations of the telangiectatic type and angiospastic spots of nevus anemicus. It can occur as an purely cutaneous trait or as a hallmark of a neurocutaneous phenotype (mixed vascular nevus syndrome) characterised by the combination of: (I) paired vascular (telangiectatic and anemic) twin nevi and brain abnormalities of the Dyke-Davidoff-Masson type (i.e. Read More

Ann Nutr Metab 2016 9;68 Suppl 3:5-9. Epub 2016 Dec 9.

Department of Pediatrics and Pathology, ARUP Laboratories, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Carnitine is needed for transfer of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for subsequent β-oxidation. Carnitine can be synthesized by the body and is also obtained in the diet through consumption of meat and dairy products. Defects in carnitine transport such as those caused by defective activity of the OCTN2 transporter encoded by the SLC22A5 gene result in primary carnitine deficiency, and newborn screening programmes can identify patients at risk for this condition before irreversible damage. Read More

JAMA 2017 01;317(1):23-24

Research Program in Men's Health: Aging and Metabolism, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

CNS Spectr 2017 Feb 30;22(1):51-60. Epub 2016 Nov 30.

2Department of Psychology,School of Life and Medical Sciences,University of Hertfordshire,Hatfield,UK.

Introduction Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a debilitating disorder, characterized by obsessions and compulsions relating specifically to perceived appearance, and which has been newly classified within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders grouping. Until now, little research has been conducted into the cognitive profile of this disorder.

Methods: Participants with BDD (n=12) and participants without BDD (n=16) were tested using a computerized neurocognitive battery investigating attentional set-shifting (Intra/Extra Dimensional Set Shift Task), decision-making (Cambridge Gamble Task), motor response-inhibition (Stop-Signal Reaction Time Task), and affective processing (Affective Go-No Go Task). Read More

Soins Psychiatr 2016 Nov - Dec;37(307):44-46

Unité des troubles du comportement alimentaire, Clinique des maladies mentales et de l'encéphale, centre hospitalier Sainte-Anne, 1, rue Cabanis, Paris 75014, France. Electronic address:

Anorexia causes body image disorders. The re-appropriation and acceptance of the body and its changes require specific care. Mirrors, 'morphing' software, photography, videography and the trying on of clothes in a store are tools which can help the patient reconstruct themselves. Read More

Soins Psychiatr 2016 Nov - Dec;37(307):20-21

Unité des troubles du comportement alimentaire, Clinique des maladies mentales et de l'encéphale, centre hospitalier Sainte-Anne, 1, rue Cabanis, Paris 75014, France. Electronic address:

Anorexia nervosa is often considered as a women disease, whereas 10% of the cases are men. There are much more researches in this field for a couple of decades. "Bigorexia", which combines food control and need for muscles, seems to be more frequent above men. Read More

Rev Colomb Psiquiatr 2016 Oct - Dec;45(4):268-269. Epub 2016 May 16.

Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Perú.

Br J Health Psychol 2017 Feb 3;22(1):60-76. Epub 2016 Nov 3.

School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, UK.

Objectives: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a life-threatening mental health condition. A core feature is a disturbance of body image, such that sufferers see themselves as fatter than they actually are.

Design: We tested the effectiveness of a novel training programme to recalibrate our participants' perception of body size. Read More

J Dermatolog Treat 2017 Jun 24;28(4):342-346. Epub 2016 Oct 24.

b Department of Dermatology, Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA.

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive features frequently visit dermatologists for complaints of the skin, hair or nails, and often progress towards a chronic relapsing course due to the challenge associated with accurate diagnosis and management of their psychiatric symptoms. The current DSM-5 formally recognizes body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania, neurotic excoriation and body focused repetitive behavior disorder as psychodermatological disorders belonging to the category of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. However there is evidence that other relevant skin diseases such as delusions of parasitosis, dermatitis artefacta, contamination dermatitis, AIDS phobia, trichotemnomania and even lichen simplex chronicus possess prominent obsessive-compulsive characteristics that do not necessarily fit the full diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5. Read More

J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2016 Jul-Sep;9(3):188-191

Department of Dermatology and STD, VM Medical College and Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Context: A distressing pre-occupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance with a marked negative effect on the patient's life is the core symptom of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

Aim: To screen the patients attending a dermatology clinic at a tertiary care centre for BDD using the BDD-dermatology version (DV) questionnaire.

Settings And Design: This cross-sectional study enrolled 245 consecutive patients from the dermatology outpatients clinic. Read More

BJPsych Bull 2016 Oct;40(5):245-248

South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

Aims and method To examine how often referring community mental health teams (CMHTs) utilised treatment recommendations made by the national highly specialised service for patients with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). We analysed all patient notes for admissions to the unit (August 2012-August 2014) and recorded how many treatment recommendations were implemented by CMHTs prior to admission and at 6 months post-discharge. Results Overall, 66% of our recommendations were met by CMHTs prior to admission and 74% after discharge. Read More

Health Psychol 2016 Nov 9;35(11):1197-1204. Epub 2016 Jun 9.

Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology Unit, University of Sheffield.

Objectives: Although many traumatic incidents result in changes to appearance, little research has examined the experience of individuals distressed by such changes in connection with psychological processes involved in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to examine how PTSD and appearance concern associated with burn injury are experienced when both difficulties co-occur.

Method: The qualitative method of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to provide a framework for building nuanced accounts of individual experience. Read More

Int J Eat Disord 2017 Feb 14;50(2):139-147. Epub 2016 Oct 14.

Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24/25, Potsdam, 14476, Germany.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of age and weight status on adolescents' body dissatisfaction and its change over 20 months in a gender-comparing design. The influence of body image concern on eating concern was also investigated.

Method: In a prospective study, 675 male and female adolescents aged 12-16 were assessed using self-report questionnaires on weight, shape, muscularity, and eating concerns. Read More

JCI Insight 2016 Mar 17;1(3):e85461. Epub 2016 Mar 17.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.; Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The 2p15p16.1 microdeletion syndrome has a core phenotype consisting of intellectual disability, microcephaly, hypotonia, delayed growth, common craniofacial features, and digital anomalies. So far, more than 20 cases of 2p15p16. Read More

Am J Hum Genet 2016 Oct 29;99(4):991-999. Epub 2016 Sep 29.

Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.

The ASXL genes (ASXL1, ASXL2, and ASXL3) participate in body patterning during embryogenesis and encode proteins involved in epigenetic regulation and assembly of transcription factors to specific genomic loci. Germline de novo truncating variants in ASXL1 and ASXL3 have been respectively implicated in causing Bohring-Opitz and Bainbridge-Ropers syndromes, which result in overlapping features of severe intellectual disability and dysmorphic features. ASXL2 has not yet been associated with a human Mendelian disorder. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2016 Sep 28. Epub 2016 Sep 28.

Dr Anthony Bewley, Consultant Dermatologist, Royal London Hospital Hospital, London, FRCP.

Delusional Infestation (DI) is a condition whereby patients hold a fixed, false belief of being infested with living organisms (1) . Patients classically present with excoriated skin at various stages of the healing process, together with evidence of their infestation (the specimen sign(2) ) such as skin debris, insects or insect parts.. Read More

Int J Eat Disord 2017 Feb 16;50(2):157-161. Epub 2016 Sep 16.

Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

Objective: Prior twin studies provide support for a single "common factor" that contributes genetic and environmental risk to a range of disordered eating symptoms. However, the common factor may be indexed less well by binge eating (BE) than other symptoms of eating disorders [i.e. Read More

Aesthet Surg J 2016 Oct;36(9):1039-47

From the Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University College of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA.

Dissatisfaction with physical appearance and body image is a common psychological phenomena in Western society. Body image dissatisfaction is frequently reported by those who have excess body weight, but also is seen in those of normal body weight. For both groups of individuals, this dissatisfaction impacts self-esteem and quality of life. Read More

J Sport Exerc Psychol 2016 Apr;38(2):209-14

Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 2016 Sep-Oct;32(5):403

Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 2016 Sep-Oct;32(5):402-3

Clin Ter 2016 Jul-Aug;167(4):105-12

Introduction: Psoriasis produces functional and aesthetic damages which cause psychosocial discomfort and require new adjustment factors.

Aims: We describe the correlation among discomfort and personality factors as traits, coping, defense mechanism (DM) and resilience in Ps (skin psoriasis) and PsA (psoriatic arthritis) patients.

Materials And Methods: A random sample, age between 45-60, with 1:1 female/male, includes 3 groups each of 90 subjects: - single psoriasis (Ps, average 50. Read More

Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2017 Jun 31;51(6):595-603. Epub 2016 Aug 31.

1 Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Objective: Body dysmorphic disorder typically begins in adolescence, yet little is known about the prevalence and correlates of the disorder in this age group. The current study aimed to explore the presenting features of adolescents meeting probable criteria for body dysmorphic disorder in a large community sample, and compare levels of comorbid psychopathology, quality of life and mental health service use between adolescents with probable body dysmorphic disorder and those without.

Method: Questionnaires were completed at school by 3149 adolescents: 63% male, aged 12-18 years ( M = 14. Read More

Int J Eat Disord 2017 Feb 27;50(2):127-138. Epub 2016 Aug 27.

Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

Objective: Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) exhibit distorted perception and negative evaluations of their own appearance; however, little is known about how they perceive others' appearance, and whether or not the conditions share perceptual distortions.

Method: Thirty participants with BDD, 22 with AN, now weight-restored, and 39 healthy comparison participants (HC) rated photographs of others' faces and bodies on attractiveness, how overweight or underweight they were, and how much photographs triggered thoughts of their own appearance. We compared responses among groups by stimulus type and by level-of-detail (spatial frequency). Read More

Rev Med Chil 2016 May;144(5):626-33

There is strong evidence about the co-existence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and eating disorders (ED), particularly with anorexia nervosa (AN). An exhaustive review of the specialised literature regarding these disorders was carried out. The results show that their co-occurrence implies a more complex diagnosis and treatment, a more severe clinical symptomatology and a worse prognosis and outcome. Read More

Int J Eat Disord 2017 Feb 19;50(2):118-126. Epub 2016 Aug 19.

School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Objective: The distinctiveness and relative clinical significance of overvaluation, dissatisfaction, and preoccupation with body weight/shape remains inconclusive. This study sought to add to the evidence by testing associations between these three body image constructs and indicators of clinical significance.

Method: Male and female secondary students (N = 1,666) aged 12-18 years completed a survey that included measures of dissatisfaction with, overvaluation of, and preoccupation with weight/shape, psychological distress, eating disorder behaviors, and basic demographic information. Read More