What role does cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) play in the management of BDD in primary care?

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Posted: 16 August 2025Updated: 16 August 2025 Guideline-Aligned (High Confidence) Clinically Reviewed
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX

In the management of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in primary care, initial treatment may be provided in this setting for some individuals . However, it is important to note that relatively few mental health professionals or General Practitioners (GPs) have expertise in the recognition, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of BDD .

Specialist OCD/BDD multidisciplinary teams are equipped to provide expert assessment and specialist cognitive-behavioural and pharmacological treatment for BDD . Individuals with more severe functional impairment, higher levels of comorbidity, or poor response to initial treatment will require care from these specialist teams .

While the guideline states that effective treatments for both Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and BDD should be offered at all levels of the healthcare system, the specific low-intensity Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) options (such as brief individual CBT with structured self-help, telephone CBT, or group CBT) are explicitly detailed as initial treatments for adults with mild functional impairment due to OCD, rather than BDD, in the provided context .

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