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Title: Body dysmorphic disorder and dermatologists.
Author: Szepietowski JC, Salomon J, Pacan P, Hrehorów E, Zalewska A.
Journal: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol; 2008 Jul; 22(7):795-9. PubMed ID: 18462310.
Abstract:
UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) identified by Polish dermatologists and to evaluate the treatment modalities applied by them. METHODS: A specially designed questionnaire was distributed to 172 dermatologists. A total of 118 doctors responded (68.6%). The dermatologists were asked regarding demographic data, frequency of BDD in their everyday practice and methods of treatment they used in managing BDD patients. RESULTS: During the whole working period, over the half of dermatologists (64%) had observed at least one BDD patient in their practice. One fifth (20%) of the respondents observed 1 or 2 BDD cases during the past 5 years, 14% observed 3 to 5 such patients, 7% observed 5 to 10 BDD cases, and 5% of the doctors reported seeing more than 10 BDD patients within this period. Almost 18% of dermatologists were currently treating a BDD patient. Our data show that 40.7% of the respondents always ask and 28.8% often ask for a psychiatric opinion. More experienced dermatologists statistically more frequently (P < 0.05) obtained a psychiatric opinion about their patients. Only a small group of dermatologists (15.3%) use their own pharmacological treatment. If they do so, they first use anxiety-relieving drugs and placebo. CONCLUSION: BDD is a quite common disorder; however, not all dermatologists are sufficiently prepared to treat it. There is an urgent need for training of dermatologists on the effective approach to psychodermatoses.

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