Aim and Background: Personality traits such as perfectionism can cause or aggravate underlying physical or psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to compare neurotic perfectionism and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) among patients with skin disorders and healthy individuals and investigate the role of perfectionism and BDD in the risk of skin diseases. Methods and Materials: This was a descriptive-correlational study. The study subjects were selected through single-stage cluster sampling. For data collection, 2 clinics were randomly selected, and from among their clients, 112 were selected. In addition, 106 healthy individuals who were matched with the study group for demographic variables were selected as the control group. After obtaining informed consents, the participants completed the Farsi version of the Neurotic Perfectionism Questionnaire and Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale. Findings: The mean scores of neurotic perfectionism and BDD in patients with skin disorders were significantly higher than healthy subjects (P < 0.01). Results also showed that the risk of skin disorders can be predicted by neurotic perfectionism and BDD (r = 0.23) (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Neurotic perfectionism and BDD can cause and intensify skin disorders, and consequently, cause BDD in individuals suffering from all types of skin disorders. Therefore, it is important for physicians and specialists to be aware of perfectionism characteristics and BDD in order to provide psychotherapeutic services and promote the treatment process.

Keywords: Neurotic perfectionism, Skin disorders, Body dysmorphic disorder

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