Bridging the Gap: Integrating Neurological and Psychological Research Findings to Reveal Commonalities amongst Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Related Disorders

Abstract

This paper investigates the comorbidities and relationship amongst symptom severity of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Somatization, and Eating Disorders. The recent reconceptualization of BDD in the 5th Edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual garnered controversy within the field of mental health. By integrating neurological and psychological research findings regarding the symptomology and abnormal cognitive circuits in these patient populations, an enhanced understanding of the relationship amongst these disorders is hoped to be discerned. This study assessed the relative presence of symptom severity of each of these disorders in a nonclinical student population. Further, these were related to task performance on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figures Task neuropsychological test. Through these two experimental paradigms, the relationship between Body Dysmorphic Disorder and these relationships was assessed. Through the results presented in this paper, I hope to add evidence to the continued conversation regarding BDD and the relationship of its symptoms to these related disorders.