Body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder: similarities, differences and the classification debate

Abstract

Obsessive–compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder have many similarities in clinical presentation. Obsessive–compulsive disorder has historically been considered an anxiety disorder, whereas body dysmorphic disorder has been grouped among the somatoform disorders. Researchers in these areas are currently debating whether the similarities warrant the inclusion of body dysmorphic disorder within a proposed category of obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders. This article describes the association between obsessive–compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder as evidenced by the emerging literature, and presents theoretical and clinical implications of this association.

Keywords::

• body dysmorphic disorder
• dysmorphophobia
• obsessive–compulsive disorder
• obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders
• somatoform disorders

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.