Body dysmorphic traits and personality disorder patterns in rhinoplasty seekers

The purpose of the study was to examine symptoms of body dysmorphic concerns, mental health indices and certain specific personality disorder patterns in seekers of cosmetic rhinoplasty. A sample of 100 consecutive female patients scheduled for esthetic rhinoplasty was recruited for the study. Findings reveal body dysmorphic concerns in 22% of the sample, though individual traits are observed in 5–85% of the sample. Appearance evaluation, but not preoccupation with appearance, correlates with anxiety and depression. Furthermore, dissatisfaction with appearance and body parts decrease, while preoccupation with appearance increases after the surgical intervention. Positive appearance evaluations are associated with histrionic and narcissistic traits, while dissatisfaction with body parts correlates positively with obsessive–compulsive traits. Overall, results imply that body dysmorphic concerns are better conceived of either as an obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorder or as morbid manifestations of inflexible perfectionistic tendencies seen in obsessive–compulsive personality disorders.