The etiology and pathophysiol-ogy of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), as with most psychiatric disorders, is likely complex. Because research is limited, the causative and contributory factors to the development of BDD are unclear. However, there is emerging evidence from research studies of various factors that may contribute to the development and maintenance of BDD symptoms. This review of the etiology and pathophysiology of BDD explores what has been elucidated thus far from research on developmental, psychosocial, cognitive and behavioral, neuropsychological, and neurobiological (visual processing, neuroanatomical, genetic, and neurochemical) factors. We explore “submodels” of BDD within these domains. We synthesize these submodels to generate an overarching, yet preliminary, model of the etiological and pathophysiological processes that appear to contribute to the development and maintenance of BDD. This model involves a context of likely biological and genetic susceptibility upon which adverse life events interact with cognitive distortions and subsequent learned behavior to result in BDD symptoms. Given the limited research base, this model—although reflecting available research evidence—serves primarily a heuristic function. We hope, nonetheless, that this model in-