Articles
Plain-language writing on the conditions we treat
Information about the conditions we treat. These articles are based on the research conducted and written by members of our clinical team. Sometimes we write articles on research that we have not conducted, but that we believe is important and worth you knowing about. All the articles published on our site are general clinical information and do not constitute personal clinical advice.
What affects how well a child responds to OCD treatment?
A systematic review looked at which factors shape how children with OCD respond to CBT — including family history and the presence of tics.
By Dr Cynthia Turner
BDD & body-focusedTreating BDD in young people: how CBT actually works
A look at the components of cognitive behavioural therapy for body dysmorphic disorder in adolescents — psychoeducation, cognitive work, ERP and attention retraining.
By Dr Cynthia Turner
OCDCan OCD therapy work over the phone?
A randomised trial compared telephone-delivered CBT for adolescents with OCD against face-to-face therapy. Here is what it found about treatment at a distance.
By Dr Cynthia Turner
BDD & body-focusedSubthreshold BDD in teenagers: why milder appearance concerns still matter
A study of over 3,000 adolescents found that appearance concerns falling short of full BDD still carry real difficulty — and may be a target for early support.
By Dr Cynthia Turner
OCDShame and OCD: what the research shows
Shame is common in OCD and can be a barrier to seeking help. A meta-analysis of 20 studies looked at how closely the two are linked.
By Dr Cynthia Turner
BDD & body-focusedRecognising body dysmorphic disorder in teenagers
Body dysmorphic disorder often begins in adolescence and is easily mistaken for ordinary teenage self-consciousness. Knowing the signs matters.
By Dr Beth O'Gorman
BDD & body-focusedIs body dysmorphic disorder part of OCD? What the evidence says
BDD is grouped with OCD in the diagnostic manuals, but the picture is more complex. A study of over 3,000 adolescents tested how BDD symptoms relate to OCD, mood and eating concerns.
By Dr Cynthia Turner
BDD & body-focusedHow common are body-focused repetitive behaviours?
Skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting are more common than many people think. A survey of nearly 1,400 adults looked at how often they occur and the distress they cause.
By Dr Cynthia Turner
BDD & body-focusedEvidence-based treatment for BDD: what works
A plain-language summary of the evidence-based approaches to body dysmorphic disorder — what treatment should include, and why BDD so often goes unrecognised.
By Dr Cynthia Turner
BDD & body-focusedDo online and app-based programs help with body image?
Mental health support is increasingly delivered online. Here is what to keep in mind about digital tools for body-image and related concerns.
By Dr Beth O'Gorman
BDD & body-focusedCan therapy help a teenager with body dysmorphic disorder?
A pilot trial tested CBT designed for teenagers with body dysmorphic disorder. Here is what it found, and what it means for families.
By Dr Cynthia Turner
BDD & body-focusedBody image distress in boys and men — and why it's so often missed
Body-image problems are not only a girls' issue. Boys and men experience them too, often quietly — and they are frequently overlooked.
By Dr Beth O'Gorman