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Dysmorphophobia: a Question of Definition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Christopher S. Thomas
Christopher S. Thomas*
Affiliation:
Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff CF4 7XB
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Summary

Dysmorphophobia is an uncommon psychiatric syndrome characterized by a subjective feeling of ugliness or physical defect. Although appearance is within normal limits, the patient feels that this is noticeable to others. Views on the nature of this condition are illustrated by two case histories. It is proposed that dysmorphophobia is a discrete psychiatric illness. The symptoms arise in individuals with schizoid, narcissistic, or obsessional personality traits and should be distinguished from those phenomena which are secondary to morbid psychological processes.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 144 , Issue 5 , May 1984 , pp. 513 - 516
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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