This study was made in order to determine the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptoms in a group of male high school students at Turkey. The study was consisted of high school students from six schools at five cities (Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir, Bursa, Balıkesir). Questionnaires were applied to 865 students who were selected through stratified random sampling method from 6760 students. Students’ answers to the self-report forms were evaluated. For assessing body dysmorphic disorder symptoms, a semi-structured questionnaire based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria was used. In addition, the body regions which they were experiencing problems were also evaluated. 47.6 % of the participants’ stated that they perceive that they actually have a physical defect. Symptoms were present for more than 5 years at 15.3 % of participants. Defects were thought to be most often at their teeth (30.3 %), head/face areas (21.4 %), hair (21.1 %), nose (18.7 %), general muscle structure (14.3 %) abdominal/hip structures (12.1 %). 2.3 % of the participants’ stated that their daily activities were negatively affected and 2.1 % stated that they were not participating in social activities for this reason. Results show that symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder are common in adolescents and affects daily functioning negatively.
Keywords: Body dysmorphic disorder, frequency, adolescent, dysfunction
