Diagnostik körperbezogener repetitiver Verhaltensweisen

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are currently not assessed by structured clinical interviews in German-speaking countries. The aim of this study was the development, pilot testing, and iterative revision of a BFRBs add-on module for the diagnostic interview for mental disorders (DIPS-OA).

Based on the DSM‑5 diagnostic criteria, a structured BFRBs supplementary module for the DIPS-OA was developed, with submodules for trichotillomania, dermatillomania and other BFRBs. A multistage qualitative and quantitative evaluation was carried out by experts and psychotherapists (N = 14) followed by a subsequent revision of the module. The dermatillomania section was piloted (N = 78) and psychometrically evaluated.

The qualitative expert evaluation of the full supplementary module identified specific areas for optimization. In the second evaluation the revised version received overall good to very good ratings (mdn = 1.5). Pilot testing of the dermatillomania section demonstrated very high interrater reliability (κ = 0.87). A case example illustrates the clinical applicability and conceptual fit of the module.

The results of the pilot study should be interpreted as preliminary indications as the comprehensive evaluation of the entire supplementary module is currently still ongoing. The DIPS-OA BFRBs add-on module represents the first structured clinical interview for the assessment of BFRBs in German-speaking countries and, following comprehensive psychometric evaluation, has the potential to improve diagnostic assessment and clinical care for individuals with BFRBs.