Patients seeking cosmetic procedures in the UK may soon undergo screening for body dysmorphic disorder. ITV News reported this, according to infohub.kz.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has issued draft guidance for medical professionals. It recommends mandatory questionnaires for people seeking cosmetic services. The initiative aims to identify signs of body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder early, so patients can receive timely specialized care.
Experts stress that if body dysmorphic disorder is suspected, clinics should categorically refuse to perform cosmetic and surgical interventions. Any aesthetic procedures in such cases can only increase emotional stress and worsen the patient's obsessive states. In such cases, the person should be immediately referred for consultation with relevant specialists.
The agency also noted that such disorders often go unnoticed because people are ashamed to talk about their fears. The new guidance urges medical staff to actively ask probing questions. This will help identify the problem in its early stages, preventing the person's condition from reaching a crisis point.