| Questions to diagnose body dysmorphic disorder |
- "Are you very worried about your appearance in any way?" or "Are you unhappy with how you look?"
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- Ask the patient to describe their concern by asking a question like "What don't you like about how you look?" or "Can you tell me about your concern?"
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- Ask if there are other disliked body areas; for example, "Are you unhappy with any other aspects of your appearance, such as your face, skin, hair, nose, or the shape or size of any other body area?"
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- Ascertain that the patient is preoccupied with these perceived flaws by asking "How much time would you estimate that you spend each day thinking about your appearance if you add up all the time you spend?" or "Do these concerns preoccupy you?"
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- Ask if at some point during the course of the disorder, the patient has performed repetitive behaviors in response to the appearance concerns (eg, mirror checking, excessive grooming, skin picking, or reassurance seeking) or mental acts (eg, comparing one's appearance with that of others).
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- "How much distress do these concerns cause you?" Ask specifically about resulting anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and suicidal thinking.
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- Ask about effects of the appearance preoccupations on the patient's life; for example, "Do these concerns interfere with your life or cause problems for you?" Ask specifically about effects on school, work, other aspects of role functioning (eg, managing a household), relationships, intimacy, family and social activities, household tasks, and other activities and responsibilities.
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