Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder in a German college student sample

Psychiatry Res. 2002 Jan 31;109(1):101-4. doi: 10.1016/s0165-1781(01)00363-8.

Abstract

The prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) was investigated in a non-clinical sample. German college students (n=133; 73.7% female) completed self-report questionnaires assessing BDD, self-esteem, symptoms of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and skin picking. Based on our data, seven participants (5.3%) satisfied DSM-IV BDD criteria. Significant differences were found between students with and without BDD in the number of endorsed obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Poor body image was associated with poor self-esteem, symptoms of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. One student with BDD also reported severe skin picking. In conclusion, BDD is a common psychiatric disorder in college students.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Body Image
  • Catchment Area, Health
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Somatoform Disorders / diagnosis
  • Somatoform Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires