some individuals experience abrupt onset of body dysmorphic disorder. The disorder
appears to usually be chronic, although improvement is likely when evidence-based
treatment is received. The disorder’s clinical features appear largely similar in children/
adolescents and adults. Body dysm orphic disorder occurs in th e elderly, but little is known
about the disorder in this age group. Individu als with disorder onset before age 18 years
are more likely to attempt suicide, have more comorbidity, and have  gradual (rather than
acute) disorder onset than those with adult-onset body dysmorphic disorder.