The Relationship Between Different Forms of Childhood Abuse and Subsequent Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Complex PTSD Symptoms Among Israeli Women

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is common in childhood abuse survivors. Nonetheless, the relation between symptoms of BDD, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), as well as the effects of different forms of childhood abuse in explaining these symptoms, remains unclear. This study explored: (1) BDD scores as a function of childhood abuse; (2) the relationship between symptoms of BDD, PTSD, and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) in childhood abuse survivors; and (3) the effect of levels of different forms of childhood abuse on BDD, PTSD, and DSO symptoms. An online survey was conducted among a convenience sample of 404 Israeli adult women, of whom 53.7% (n=217) were classified as having a history of childhood abuse. Background variables, BDD symptoms, and the classification and symptoms of PTSD and CPTSD were assessed online via self-report measures. Results indicated elevated BDD scores in childhood abuse survivors, and relationships between symptoms of BDD, PTSD, and DSO in childhood abuse survivors. Levels of emotional abuse served as a trans-diagnostic risk factor for PTSD, DSO, and BDD symptoms, whereas sexual abuse was associated with PTSD symptoms, and physical abuse had no significant effect. The strongest non-causal effect was found for PTSD and DSO symptoms, followed by BDD and DSO symptoms, and BDD and PTSD symptoms. The present findings suggest that childhood abuse may be a risk factor for BDD, and that trauma-related disorders and BDD are strongly associated in childhood abuse survivors.