Ask the doctor: Why are patients with body dysmorphic disorder so self-critical?

Q. I have a friend who was diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. What is this disorder and what causes it?

A. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a type of anxiety disorder. Those affected focus on physical flaws that other people may not notice. We don't yet know what causes BDD, but like other psychiatric disorders, it probably results from a combination of inborn biology and environmental factors.

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