Investigating the Multidimensional Comorbidity of ObsessiveCompulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorders, and Eating Disorders: Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Treatment

Abstract

Research on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia and bulimia, has shown appreciable two-way comorbidity between these conditions, especially OCD and BDD. There are few, if any, however, assessments of the multidimensional comorbidity of OCD, BDD, and EDs. Here, we review the literature on prevalence and comorbidity of these disorders and estimate their three-way comorbidity. We calculate that multidimensional comorbidity of OCD, BDD, and EDs is present in about 1.5% of cases of primary OCD, 3.7% of cases of primary BDD and 9.8% of cases of primary EDs. We further provide recommendations for treatment of cases in which all three disorders appear together, beginning with the advice to treat that disorder first which poses the highest danger to the patient upon check in. for LVM.