Body image in social anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and panic disorder

•Examined body image among 68 outpatients with anxiety disorders.•Participants had primary OCD (n = 22), SAD (n = 25), or PD (n = 21).•No differences in average levels of body image indices were found between the groups.•SAD (but not OCD) symptoms were associated with the majority of body image indices.•OCD (but not SAD) symptoms were associated with Appearance Orientation.

Body dysmorphic disorder falls under the category of obsessive–compulsive and related disorders, yet research has suggested it may also be highly associated with social anxiety disorder. The current study examined body image variables among 68 outpatients with primary obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD; n = 22), social anxiety disorder (SAD; n = 25), and panic disorder (PD; n = 21). Participants filled out self-report measures of body image disturbance, attitudes toward one's appearance, and anxiety. Body image disturbance and attitudes toward appearance did not significantly differ between the groups. However, SAD symptoms predicted body image disturbance, Appearance Evaluation and Body Areas Satisfaction, and OCD symptoms predicted Appearance Orientation. These findings suggest that SAD and OCD may be associated with different facets of body image. Implications for the treatment of anxiety disorders and for future research are discussed.