NICE is updating its national guidelines for OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). But the new draft includes no recommendations for people who remain unwell after initial treatment.
We are calling on NICE not to publish the guideline as it stands — and to include clear recommendations for further treatment.
What’s happening?
Evidence-based treatment for OCD and BDD can be life-changing. But initial treatment is not always enough. Some people need more time, a different approach, or more intensive or specialist support.
Existing NICE guidance sets out routes to further treatment when someone remains unwell. These recommendations matter. NICE guidance is used across the NHS, and gives patients, families and clinicians something official to point to when care breaks down or someone is struggling to access the right support.
The new draft strips much of this away.
NICE chose not to include further treatment within the scope of this update. As a result, the draft contains no recommendations for people who remain unwell after initial treatment.
If published as it stands, the new guideline would stop at the point when many people need it most.
At a time when people already spend years fighting for the right care, this could leave them with even fewer routes to help.
NICE can still change this
The draft has not been published yet. We are asking NICE to:
- Not publish the guideline as it currently stands
- Include clear recommendations for people who need further treatment
- Protect clear routes to more intensive and specialist care
No one should be left without a clear path forward because initial treatment was not enough.
Take action
1. Sign the petition
Add your name and help us show NICE how many people want the draft to change.
2. Send a letter to NICE
We have prepared a letter that you can send directly to NICE. You can send it as written or add a few lines about why this matters to you.
Once you have downloaded the letter:
- Add your name and any personal message you would like to include.
- Attach the completed letter to an email.
- Send it to both addresses below.
Dr Adrian Hayter, Chief Medical Officer at NICE
adrian.hayter@nice.org.uk
NICE
nice@nice.org.uk
Suggested email subject: OCD and BDD guideline update: recommendations for further treatment
Please send your email to both addresses to help make sure it reaches the right people.
Stand with us
People with OCD and BDD need guidelines that cover what happens when initial treatment is not enough — not new guidance that leaves them with fewer answers and fewer routes to care.
Tell NICE to include clear recommendations for further treatment.
SIGN THE PETITION
DOWNLOAD THE LETTER
This campaign is a collaboration between the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation, Maternal OCD, OCD Action, OCD-UK and Orchard OCD.