BDD appears to commence during adolescence, is not gender specific, and is often comorbid with OCD, social phobia, depression, and personality disorders. Its prevalence rate is not yet firmly established, with studies indicating anywhere from 0.7% to 13% of the various populations studied. Most patients with have high overvalued ideas and are difficult to treat. Treatment has consisted of cognitive-behavior therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. A behavioral model of a patient's acquisition and maintenance of BDD is provided, with emphasis on classical followed by operant conditioning.