Consider assessing patients with depression for OCD and body dysmorphic disorder, says NICE

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By Sarah Lowden

Patients with obsessive compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder could be offered more appropriate treatment earlier, according to the NHS watchdog.

Draft guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have been issued to help doctors recognise OCD and BDD “more consistently”.

The recommendations advise doctors to consider assessing for OCD and BDD in people with depression, anxiety, autism or ADHD, as well as those seeking cosmetic procedures.

The independent guideline committee said earlier identification could help more people access the support they need before their symptoms become severe.

OCD is estimated to affect about 1.2% of people while BDD affects about 2% of the population.

NICE said that healthcare professionals “do not routinely ask about or explore whether people have intrusive thoughts, images, urges, impulses, doubts, or worries about appearance” as it called for more to be done to help identify cases.

People with these symptoms may not disclose them unless specifically asked, NICE added.