Question

On admission to the mental health unit, a client tells the nurse she's afraid to leave the house for fear of criticism. She informs the nurse, ""My nose is so big. I know everyone is looking at me and making fun of me. I had plastic surgery and it still looks awful!"" These symptoms are an indication of which disorder?

1. Paranoid personality disorder
2. Body dysmorphic disorder
3. Paranoid schizophrenia
4. Antisocial disorder

Answer 1

The client's intense concern about her nose size and the fear of criticism suggest she is experiencing Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a condition characterized by excessive preoccupation with a perceived physical defect.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described by the client, which include an intense and possibly irrational worry about being criticized due to her nose size and the subsequent plastic surgery, strongly suggest she is experiencing Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). BDD is characterized by an obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in physical appearance, which is either non-existent or slight, but causes significant distress and may lead to social avoidance behaviors. This aligns with her fear of leaving the house due to concerns about her appearance and possible criticism from others. Unlike paranoid personality disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, or antisocial disorder, BDD specifically pertains to distressing preoccupation with one's body image. Therefore, the correct answer among the provided options would be option 2, Body Dysmorphic Disorder.