Body Dysmorphia Test

Basic information

Statements:20
Duration:3–5 minutes
Type:Self-assessment
Seminal work:Deenz Body Dysmorphic Scale (DBDS-20) [ref] Development and Validation of the Deenz Body Dysmorphic Scale (DBDS-20)
Publishing year:2024
Instructions:Body dysmorphia test is a digitally adopted version of Deenz Body Dysmorphic Scale (DBDS-20), designed to measure multidimensional aspects of Body dysmorphia and its impact on overall well-being. The self-assessment consists of 20 statements, for each statement, you need to indicate your level of agreement.

Body dysmorphic test is available in the following languages:

ENPTDERU
1. I frequently notice things about my appearance that bother me.
2. I often compare my appearance to others and feel dissatisfied.
3. I worry that others notice and judge my perceived flaws.
4. I feel distressed if I can't fix or hide what I perceive as flaws.
5. I check myself in the mirror frequently throughout the day.
6. I am constantly preoccupied with how I appear to others.
7. I engage in repetitive grooming rituals to feel better about my looks.
8. I frequently touch or examine certain parts of my body.
9. I frequently criticize myself for not looking a certain way.
10. I find it hard to see any positive aspects of my physical appearance.
11. I have difficulty accepting compliments about my appearance.
12. I struggle to see my appearance in a positive light.
13. I feel uncomfortable being in photographs or videos.
14. I decline invitations to social gatherings to avoid judgment.
15. I am hesitant to meet new people due to concerns about my appearance.
16. I feel anxious about going out in public.
17. I struggle to focus on work.
18. My concerns about my appearance affect my ability to concentrate
19. I avoid romantic relationships.
20. I struggle to express myself emotionally in relationships due to my appearance concerns.

Participation in the body dysmorphic test is completely anonymous, and we value your privacy. The research conducted on the development and validation of the Deenz Body Dysmorphic Scale (DBDS-20) is in no way associated with this computerized version. The results are provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered as definite diagnosis.

Dr. Enrico Morselli 1891 coined the word “dysmorphophobia” characterized by excessive concern about physical appearance. [1] “Enrico Morselli and the Invention of Dysmorphophobia.” Body Image, Eating, and Weight: A Guide to Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention (2018): 85-95. Modern psychology emphasizes understanding these concerns about physical flaws on a spectrum and their impact on individuals’ mental and social well-being. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association in its third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) recognized dysmorphophobia as a distinct mental health disorder. Over time the understanding and classification of this condition evolved and in 1994 with the release of the fourth edition (DSM-IV) the term “dysmorphophobia” was changed to “body dysmorphic disorder”. [2] Constantian MB. The new criteria for body dysmorphic disorder: who makes the diagnosis?. 2013 Dec 1;132(6):1759-62.

Researchers and psychologists strive to provide a standardized and systematic way of assessing the presence and measuring the impact of Body Dysmorphic Disorder on social, mental, and interpersonal relationships. [3] Erickson M. Body Dysmorphia in the Age of the Internet. Recognizing this need led to the development of the Deenz Body Dysmorphic Scale, designed to measure impact and concern levels across different domains. In a case study conducted on college students for validation of the scale, the DBDS(20) scale helped identify students who were at risk of body dysmorphic disorder.

Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Concern Levels:

Obsession: (Obsessive Focus on Appearance). It is okay to find yourself worrying a lot about your physical appearance before going to parties and participating in social events. Everyone strives to be more attractive in social situations but some people are more than what we call excessive worrying about their physical appearance and this leads them to be preoccupied with obsessive thoughts even when others might not notice any defect. [4] Vashi, Neelam A. “Obsession with perfection: Body dysmorphia.” Clinics in dermatology 34.6 (2016): 788-791.

Repetitive: (Repetitive Behaviors) Repeated actions such as checking the mirror over and over again and touching the body part which one considers as a cause of concern in psychical appearance lead to the risk of developing Body Dysmorphic disorder.

Rumination: (Persistent Negative Thoughts) Sometimes we all face negative thoughts about our physical appearance when we have to go to important meetings and meet new people. Some people are more concerned about their appearance than what we consider normal which leads them to miss or withdraw from participation. The persistent negative thoughts about physical appearance or concern about any physical flaw may lead to anxiety and in rare cases, it may lead to depression and low self-esteem. [5] Mancusi LM. The effects of social comparison and disgust on evaluating appearance related stimuli in body dysmorphia

Avoidance: (Avoidance Behaviors and Social Situations) Avoidance behaviors may be considered a hallmark trait of body disormaphia disorder if other traits show high concern levels. People who score high on this trait may try to avoid places, situations, and activities because they feel that they may be perceived as psychically abnormal.

Disruption: (Impaired Cognitive and Social Functioning) People with Body Dysmorphic disorder face several challenges. Due to preoccupation with negative thoughts and repeated actions to fix their physical flaws, they face cognitive and social impairment. They might face difficulty with memory, concentration, and decision-making. They also face social and interpersonal problems such as meeting new people, maintaining long-term relations, and academic challenges.

Some individuals are concerned with a physical defect such as a pimple, dark spot, belly fat or any other flaw that may be easily noticeable. Some times they have a valid reason to be concerned but most often they have unrealistic fear or worry about their physical appearance. However, individuals who are preoccupied with one or more perceived defects or flaws in their physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others may be at higher risk of developing Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

The criteria for the diagnosis of this disorder has been outlined in the DSM-5 include the following: individuals must be preoccupied with perceived defects or flaws in their physical appearance that are not observable to others. The individuals must have a history of engaging in repetitive behaviors, such as mirror checking and excessive grooming, as a response to their appearance concerns. The appearance concerns should cause significant distress or social and occupational impairment. The concerns about appearance should not be related to body fat or weight, or to individuals who meet the criteria for an eating disorder. [6] Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders

The quiz provided by Drdeenz is not a diagnostic tool to make a clinical diagnosis of the any mental health condition so this self-assessment tool is not the only option to make a proper diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder. A clinical interview is necessary for the proper diagnosis and only a mental health professional can provide final and proper diagnosis.

References

  1. Development and Validation of the Deenz Body Dysmorphic Scale (DBDS-20) in a College Student Population https://doi.org/10.14293/pr2199.000753.v1 ↩

  2. Cuzzolaro M, Nizzoli U. Enrico Morselli and the Invention of Dysmorphophobia. Body Image, Eating, and Weight: A Guide to Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention. 2018:85-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90817-5_6 ↩

  3. Phillips KA. Body dysmorphic disorder: the distress of imagined ugliness. Am J Psychiatry. 1991 Sep 1;148(9):1138-49. Google scholar ↩

  4. Erickson, M. “Body Dysmorphia in the Age of the Internet.” (2016). Google Scholar ↩

  5. Vashi, N. A. (2016). Obsession with perfection: Body dysmorphia. Clinics in Dermatology, 34(6), 788-791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2016.04.006 ↩

  6. Mancusi, L. M. (2015). The effects of social comparison and disgust on evaluating appearance related stimuli in body dysmorphia (Doctoral dissertation, Fordham University). Google Scholar ↩

  7. American Psychiatric Association DS, American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Washington, DC: American psychiatric association; 2013 May 22. Google Scholar ↩

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