A clinical validation of the dysmorphic concern questionnaire

Objective: The current study addressed the concept of dysmorphic concern as a symptom that may exist in a number of disorders. The aims of the study w ere to: (i) validate a recently developed questionnaire that measures dysmo rphic concern, the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ); and (ii) evaluat e the relationship of dysmorphic concern to depressed mood, social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology. Method: Sixty-five psychiatric inpatients were diagnosed using the computer ized version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-A). They then completed the DCQ, and questionnaires measuring body dysmorphic d isorder (the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination, or BDDE), depression, so cial phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The factor structure and convergent validity of the DCQ were determined, and associations with m ood and anxiety symptoms explored. Results: The DCQ was found to be a reliable and valid instrument that is se nsitive to dysmorphic concern. Furthermore, although dysmorphic concern was associated with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), depression, social phobia and OCD, only the score from the BDDE predicted DCQ score in a multiple reg ression analysis. Finally, BDD symptomatology was best defined by the prese nce of negative body beliefs as measured by the DCQ. Conclusions: Negative body beliefs are the hallmark of BDD. However, the ex istence of dysmorphic concern does not necessarily imply a diagnosis of BDD . The DCQ is a quick and efficient means of identifying dysmorphic concern in those who present with depression, OCD, social phobia or BDD.