Clinical Psychologist’s role in handling BDD patients

1. Identify cases
2. Assess severity
   – How much is  the impact on patient’s ability to function in everyday life
3. Assess risk of self-harm or suicidal ideation
4. Assess presence of comorbidity
5. Ensure continuity of care to avoid multiple assessments and gaps in service
6. Promote understanding
   – Raise patients’ and their families’ awareness of the involuntary nature of symptoms
   – Provide patient information leaflets and contact numbers of self-help groups
7. Consider the bigger picture
   – Cultural, social, emotional and mental health needs
8. Patients can be managed with
   – CBT plus ERP
   – SRIs

Reference:

(2005) Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Core interventions in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder. NICE Clinical Guidelines, -. Retrieved December 7, 2013, from http://publications.nice.org.uk/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-cg31