The relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is unclear. BDD has been proposed to be an OCD-spectrum disorder or even a type of OCD. However, few studies have directly compared these disorders' clinical features. We compared characteristics of subjects with OCD (n = 210), BDD (n = 45), and comorbid BDD/OCD (n = 40). OCD and BDD did not significantly differ in terms of demographic features, age of OCD or BDD onset, illness duration, and many other variables. However, subjects with BDD had significantly poorer insight than those with OCD and were more likely to be delusional. Subjects with BDD were also significantly more likely than those with OCD to have lifetime suicidal ideation, as well as lifetime major depressive disorder and a lifetime substance use disorder. The comorbid BDD/OCD group evidenced greater morbidity than subjects with OCD or BDD in a number of domains, but differences between the comorbid BDD/OCD group and the BDD group were no longer significant after controlling for BDD severity. However, differences between the comorbid BDD/OCD group and the OCD group remained significant after controlling for OCD severity. In summary, OCD and BDD did not significantly differ on many variables but did have some clinically important differences. These findings have implications for clinicians and for the classification of these disorders.

Individuals with BDD have high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. The completed suicide rate is preliminary but suggests that the rate of completed suicide in BDD is markedly high.

Much attention has been paid to the relationship between body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, to our knowledge, no published study has focused directly on the relationship between BDD and social phobia (SP). This is striking given similar clinical features of the two disorders, data showing elevated comorbidity between them, and Eastern conceptualizations of BDD as a form of SP. In this study, 39.3% of 178 individuals with current BDD had comorbid lifetime SP, and 34.3% had current SP. SP onset was typically before BDD. Individuals with BDD, with and without lifetime SP, were similar on many general characteristics (e.g., age of BDD onset, gender distribution, BDD severity, overall functional disability). However, subjects with BDD+SP were significantly less likely to be employed, were more likely to report lifetime suicidal ideation, and had poorer global social adjustment on one of two measures. Both BDD and SP were associated with elevated social anxiety; subjects with BDD+SP experienced additional social anxiety that appeared independent of BDD symptoms. Examining 1-year prospective data available for 161 subjects, BDD+SP subjects were somewhat less likely to experience remission (partial or full) of their BDD symptoms over 1-year follow-up, although this difference was not statistically significant (hazard ratio = .64, P = .18). In summary, these findings, including elevated rates of SP in patients with BDD, highlight a need for additional research on the relationship between BDD and SP.

Despite advances in HIV treatment and care, the current care landscape is inadequate to meet women's comprehensive care needs. A women-centered approach to HIV care, as envisioned by women living with HIV, is central to guiding policy and practice to improve care and outcomes for women living with HIV in Canada.