Body dysmorphic disorder in the DSM-IV field trial for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are distinct but potentially related psychiatric conditions.
• Understanding the comorbidity and specific features of BDD within an OCD population is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of BDD in patients diagnosed with OCD.
• To explore the phenomenological characteristics and clinical presentation of comorbid BDD in OCD patients.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 442 patients participating in the DSM-IV field trial for OCD.
• Data collection focused on lifetime comorbidity of BDD and associated clinical features.

Main Results:

• A lifetime diagnosis of BDD was found in 12% (N=51) of the OCD patient sample.
• Patients with comorbid BDD exhibited more anxious, impulsive, and schizotypal features compared to those with OCD alone.
• While age at onset and severity were similar, insight was significantly more impaired in patients with BDD.

Conclusions:

• The findings support a strong relationship between BDD and OCD.
• Despite shared characteristics, significant differences, particularly in insight, warrant further investigation into the distinct aspects of these disorders.