Face off?

• DOI: 10.1007/s12631-012-0193-0
• Publication Date: 2012-09-25T18:30:12Z
• Authors: H.J. Znoj; S. Abegglen
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 610 Medicine & health; 150 Psychology

In this article we focus on the emotional basis of face perception. In addition, the most important findings concerning epidemiology and etiology of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) will be reviewed and related to face perception. BDD can be seen as an emotional disorder in which fundamental errors in terms of information processing, especially concerning faces occur. Emotional information is misinterpreted. Both, emotional misinterpretation as well as errors in face perception and recognition are part of the disorder. The relevance of BDD respective to esthetic surgery is discussed. Alternative options for patients such as psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for this disorder are also related to.