Body Dysmorphic Disorder in the eyes of cosmetology students

Olga Debska-Ratuszniak1, Grazyna Kaminska-Winciorek2, Radoslaw Spiewak2

  1. Students' Scientific Association "Medical Aesthetology and Cosmetology" at the Department of Experimental Dermatology and Cosmetology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
  2. Department of Experimental Dermatology and Cosmetology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

Source: Dêbska-Ratuszniak O, Kaminska-Winciorek G, Spiewak R. Dysmorfofobia w oczach studenta kosmetologii. Dermatologia Kliniczna 2012; 14 (4): 171-174. (In Polish)

 

Introduction: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a syndrome characterized by excessive anxiety caused by a non-existent or minimal physical defect. Despite that the disease affects up to 2% of general population, the awareness of this problem seems not widespread. The knowledge of psychodermatology among cosmetology students has not been studied until now.
Aim of the study: To assess the knowledge of psychodermatology, and especially BDD among students of cosmetology.
Material and methods: A questionnaire survey of 121 students of cosmetology (master course, either full-time or part-time) at the Jagiellonian University Faculty of Pharmacy, Krakow, Poland.
Results: The concept of psychodermatology and BDD was known to 106 of 121 students (88%), while 65 respondents (54%) were able to indicate typical symptoms of BDD. The students appreciated the need for cooperation between cosmetologists and dermatologists (120, 99%), psychologists (56, 46%) and plastic surgeons (53, 44%) while only 28 (23%) recognized the need for collaboration with a psychiatrist.
Conclusions: The majority of cosmetology students knows the concept of psychodermatology, and more than a half of them can indicate symptoms typical of BDD. They appreciate the need for collaboration with a dermatologist, while underestimating the role of the psychiatrist with this respect.

Keywords: body dysmorphic disorder, mental disorders, behavioral disorders, students.

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Dermatologist and allergist in Krakow (Cracow), Poland

Estetologia Medyczna i Kosmetologia

© Radoslaw Spiewak (contact).
This page is part of the www.RadoslawSpiewak.net website.
Document created: 2 February 2013, last updated: 3 February 2013.