INTRODUCTION: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is characterized by distressing preoccupations with perceived defects in appearance, often linked to abnormalities in visual-emotional processing and cognitive control. While quantitative EEG (QEEG) studies have explored neural correlates of BDD, rapid and clinically feasible assessment protocols remain underutilized.

AIM(S): This study investigates the utility of the ClinicalQ protocol (Swingle, 2015) a brief, 5-site EEG screening method, in identifying distinct electrophysiological patterns in individuals with BDD.

METHOD(S): 32 participants meeting DSM-5 criteria for BDD and 32 same age gender-matched healthy controls underwent a standardized ClinicalQ assessment. EEG data were recorded from five scalp locations (F3, F4, Fz, Cz, O1) during eyes-open, eyes-closed, and reading tasks. Absolute and relative power in delta (2 Hz), theta (3–7 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), SMR (13–15 Hz), beta (16–25 Hz), and high-beta/gamma (28–40 Hz) bands were computed. Group comparisons and correlation analyses with symptom severity scores were performed with BDD-YBOCS (Philips, et.al. 1997).

RESULTS: Preliminary analyses revealed that the BDD group exhibited significantly in elevated theta/beta ratio at F3/F4, reduced alpha power at O1, and increased high-beta activity at Fz compared to controls. These patterns were positively correlated with mention clinical measures, including preoccupation severity or anxiety scores.

CONCLUSIONS: The ClinicalQ protocol captures distinct EEG signatures associated with BDD, particularly in frontal and occipital regions implicated in emotional regulation and visual processing. These findings support the potential of rapid EEG screening as a complementary tool for early identification and neurofeedback treatment planning in BDD. Further research with larger samples is warranted to validate these markers.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Personal