Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Contemporary childhood
The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and related disorders team provides national assessment and treatment for young people with these conditions and related disorders such as tic disorders, Tourette’s syndrome, anxiety and habit disorders. The team assess and treat these conditions and have specific expertise in working with young people with developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is the only service in the UK that specialises in these disorders in young people.
Our clinical work
The team provides gold-standard psychological treatments, in line with the NICE guidelines for OCD and BDD. Following a half day assessment, the team offers most young people a course of CBT, carried out using a treatment manual developed in the clinic. A typical CBT package for OCD or BDD includes 14-20 weekly, one-hour sessions of CBT. The team has also developed an adapted 20-session treatment package for young people who have a diagnosis of ASD and OCD.
As the only specialist OCD provision for children and young people in the UK, the service offers help to families from all over the country. The team does everything to make sure all young people can access treatment even when distance or the severity of the condition can make this challenging.
Our research
The team has an active clinical research programme and is committed to increasing understanding of the people and disorders they treat. Team members have dedicated research time to secure grant funding, develop ideas and disseminate research findings. The team publish research in peer-reviewed journals, and present at national and international conferences. The team has written several books about conditions they treat and treatment manuals to share good practice.
Our partnership work
Several team members who work within the King’s Maudsley Partnership to undertake both clinical work and research. This vital partnership has allowed the clinical team to understand the conditions they treat further and improve care and treatment. This has led to further research to test interventions and establish an evidence base for the treatment that has been delivered. The partnership between the IoPPN and the South London Maudsley Trust is vital to synergise and strengthen the relationship between clinical practice and research, allowing top quality research and service provision to take effect.
Our future vision for children and young people
Instant Access Intensive Treatment service:
The team is looking to provide immediate, intensive treatment where appropriate to reduce inpatient admissions. Clinicians aim to start working with a young person and their family within a few weeks of assessment to prepare them for the challenges of their CBT treatment.
National Teaching and Training initiative:
The team aims to share evidence-based practice nationally through a teaching and training programme. The team is seeking funding to be able to offer this training for free and make it as accessible to local CAMHS clinicians to ensure more young people access quality treatment in a timely manner.
