Obsessive–compulsive spectrum and disorders of the skin

Several disorders may be related to obsessive–compulsive disorder based on available data concerning their clinical characteristics, which have been described as constituting the obsessive–compulsive spectrum. Within the obsessive–compulsive spectrum, two disorders are often characterized by a focus on the skin: pathologic skin picking and body dysmorphic disorder. Although sharing several phenomenological similarities, treatments may differ between these disorders. Pathologic skin picking may respond to psychological treatment and serotonergic or possibly glutamatergic agents, whereas body dysmorphic disorder appears to respond well to serotonergic medications and cognitive–behavioral therapy. This review focuses on what is currently known about the clinical presentation, possible etiology and treatment of these disorders.