Body dysmorphic disorder in adolescents

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a relatively common condition in adolescents; however, there is very limited research in this area. This review summarises the existing literature and reports on the clinical phenomenology of BDD, including prevalence, diagnostic features, aetiology, and treatment. The authors identify a number of single case reports and one case series documenting cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for BDD, with successful symptom reduction and maintenance of gains over small follow-up periods. Clinical treatment recommendations suggest that CBT be offered as a first line treatment for adolescent BDD, coupled with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in patients suffering from moderate or severe functional impairment. However, given the small body of evidence and limited understanding of the condition, further research into this area is required.