Body Dysmorphic Disorder: An Overview Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is classified within the cluster of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It is characterized by a debilitating preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance, which are often either minimal or […]
Definition and Conceptualization of Body Uneasiness Body Uneasiness (BU) is conceptualized in contemporary psychology as a pervasive and often distressing subjective experience characterized by discomfort, dissatisfaction, or anxiety related to one’s physical appearance or bodily sensations. Crucially, BU exists on a spectrum; while it involves negative self-evaluation regarding the body, it typically does not reach […]
Body Avoidance Behaviors The concept of body avoidance behaviors is central to understanding various psychological distress states, particularly those involving disordered eating, body dysmorphia, and intense social anxiety. These behaviors are fundamentally defined as intentional actions or inactions undertaken by an individual to minimize exposure to, or interaction with, their own physical appearance or the […]
Introduction: Defining Body-Related Checking and Avoidance Body-related checking and avoidance behaviors represent a crucial and often debilitating symptom cluster observed across several psychological disorders, most notably Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and various Eating Disorders (EDs). These actions are typically repetitive, ritualistic, and driven by intense preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance. While checking behaviors […]
The Conceptual Framework of Body Checking and Avoidance Body checking and body avoidance represent two critical, yet often intertwined, behavioral manifestations of severe body image distress and dissatisfaction. These behaviors are frequently observed across the spectrum of eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and other anxiety-related conditions where preoccupation with physical appearance dominates cognitive resources. […]
Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior: An Overview Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) constitute a complex class of psychological disorders characterized by recurrent, irresistible urges to engage in self-grooming actions that result in physical damage to the body. These behaviors are not conscious acts of self-harm, but rather are often experienced as involuntary or semi-voluntary attempts to regulate emotional […]
The Conceptual Framework of Breathlessness Catastrophizing Breathlessness catastrophizing refers to an exaggerated, negative interpretation of the physical sensation of dyspnea, often involving dire predictions about the immediate or long-term consequences of difficulty breathing. This cognitive distortion transforms a fundamental physiological signal into a perceived threat of imminent danger, such as death, suffocation, or uncontrollable medical […]
Stress and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic The Global Context of Psychological Distress The emergence and subsequent global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to the COVID-19 pandemic, represented an unprecedented global health crisis that profoundly impacted mental health worldwide. Unlike localized disasters or regional conflicts, the pandemic introduced a […]