Emerging treatments
Other serotonergic drugs
Drugs that boost serotonin, other than serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, have shown promise for the treatment of patients with BDD. A small open-label trial examined the use of venlafaxine, a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), and found that it may be an effective treatment for BDD.[83] However, further research is needed on the potential efficacy of SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine) and other serotonergic drugs (e.g., vilazodone, vortioxetine) for treating patients with BDD.
Glutamate modulators
Glutamate modulators, such as acetylcysteine and memantine, have not been studied in patients with BDD. However, clinical experience indicates that they are sometimes helpful for augmenting SSRIs or clomipramine in patients with BDD, and promising (although mixed) data are available for obsessive-compulsive disorder.[84][85] Further research is needed.
Digital or online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Studies of digital (e.g., internet- and app-based) CBT are limited, but suggest that these treatments are promising. Additional research is needed to further assess its efficacy and to determine for whom such treatment is best suited (for example, less severely ill patients with better insight and lower levels of suicidality).[86][87]
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
One methodologically adequate study found that ACT was promising for BDD, improving BDD symptom severity, psychological flexibility, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and disability.[88] Other ACT studies of BDD have substantial methodological limitations. ACT has significant overlap with CBT. Further research is needed.
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer