Although BDD is categorized as a somatoform disorder in the DSM-IV, many experts believe that it is closely related to the anxiety disorder, OCD, due to its obsessive-compulsive nature and positive response to similar therapy and drug treatments;  yet BDD is still considered much more difficult to treat. Unlike OCD, BDD  Additionally, only 30% of OCD sufferers have an additional diagnosis of depression compared to 80-90% of people with BDD. Unlike other related disorders, which are centered on feelings of anxiety, BDD is much more likely to be accompanied by feelings of shame, guilt, disgust, self-hatred and depression, which could be contributing factors to the high suicide rates. victims normally do not find satisfaction or relief of anxiety by performing rituals—instead, it often creates a feeling of great despair and suicidal ideation.

Other disorders which seem to have similarities to BDD are trichtotillomania, or obsessive hair plucking;  anorexia nervosa—an obsession with body weight;  and koro, a disorder more readily observed in Asian cultures, where an individual believes his genitalia is shrinking back into his body, potentially causing imminent death. 

BDD is rarely seen as a pure disorder; instead, comorbid disorders are often diagnosed—most commonly, depression and social phobia, or alternately, avoidant personality disorder. It is uncertain whether these additional disorders are created by BDD; it would certainly be plausible for a person who views himself as severely deformed to become depressed and fearful of social interaction in a situation where he may be judged by appearances! Yet, it would also be possible to claim that a chemical imbalance, initially caused by depression, could spur the onset of BDD. 

Other frequently seen comorbid disorders, which are not as well documented, are bipolar II disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It’s not as uncommon as one might think to see a narcissistic, bipolar BDDer who one day sees and describes himself as an absolute stunning Greek god with no faults, and the next, plummets into a severe and suicidal depression because he’s convinced he looks like a homogenous blend of Spock and a sheep.