News

BDD & Relationships – Research Participants Needed 18+

Participate in a research study to better understand how how BDD both impacts and is impacted by romantic relationships

Interested? Participation will involve…

  • Completing a brief BDD screening questionnaire
  • A short 10-15 min pre-interview meeting
  • And a longer one-off 60-90 minute online interview (camera use optional)

Seeking participants who…

  • Are currently in a romantic relationship
  • You or your partner have lived experience of BDD
  • Live in the UK and able to speak English
  • Aged 18+

Register your interest here, or contact freddie.thompson.17@ucl.ac.uk for more information

BDD & Shame Research – Participants Needed 18+

Participate in a research study to better understand how BDD experiences are linked with shame

Interested? Participation will involve…

  • Completing a brief BDD screening questionnaire
  • A short 10-15 min pre-interview meeting
  • And a longer one-off 60-90 minute online interview

Seeking participants who…

  • Have personal lived experience of BDD
  • Live in the UK and able to speak English
  • Aged 18+

Register your interest here, or contact vladislava.susanina.22@ucl.ac.uk for more information

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BDD Advisory Group – Age 16+

Living with BDD? Help shape the research conducted into Body Dysmorphic Disorder

If you have experience of BDD, your input is invaluable. University College London (UCL) are conducting crucial research aimed at improving the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of BDD. By participating, you can help shape future research and support resources. Your insights will guide the research questions asked and the development of supportive resources. This ensures that efforts are both relevant and respectful to those living with BDD.

As a member, you will:

  • Attend occasional online meetings.
  • Provide feedback on various research aspects.
  • Receive compensation for your time and contributions.

More information below!

Register here, or contact e.hogg@ucl.ac.uk by 5th July to find out more.

Staff & Trustee Away Day

The BDDF team come together in person to establish mission, vision and values

We are delighted to share that BDDF recently hosted a staff and trustee away day, where we had the valuable opportunity to connect in person. A huge thank you to our wonderful Patron Tracy Northampton who kindly provided a beautiful venue at The Falcon, Castle Ashby – we were so lucky. We were also joined by one of our wonderful volunteers, Holly, who has been supporting us with our impact measurement work and guiding lots of these important conversations and focus areas.

This gathering allowed us to come together to connect in person, re-connect with the needs of our service users, and formally establish the charity’s mission, vision, and values. Additionally, we laid the groundwork for the next stage of our strategic plan. We extend our gratitude to the community members who participated in our recent survey; your input significantly informed our discussions. Stay tuned for an update on our new mission, vision, and values very soon!

10K in May Roundup

An update on all the wonderful activities of our 10K in May team!

We are pleased to announce that our ’10K in May’ fundraising team; Liane, Rachel, Jem, Zosia & Gem, have collectively raised nearly £2000! This is an incredible achievement, and we are so grateful for the dedication, effort, and commitment each of you has put into your individual challenges.

We know the hard work hasn’t only been in the physical challenges. There has been wonderful awareness raising, rallying support, spreading the word, and keeping the momentum going – this all requires a lot of perseverance and enthusiasm, but your passion and dedication have made a real difference.

To all our fundraisers, thank you for your incredible effort. You have shown us what’s possible when we come together to collectively fundraise, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Your commitment not only helps us financially but also raises awareness and encourages others to join our cause.

Inspired? Contact fundraising@bddfoundation.org today!

Broken Mirror Film by Indriyaan Theatre Group

Indriyaan Theatre Group and Performing Arts School Produce Film on BDD

Broken Mirror offers a poignant portrayal of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, exploring the tumultuous journey of those grappling with this often misunderstood condition. Directed by the talented Ashwin Agrawal from Indriyaan Theatre Group & Living Bread Production, this film stands as a testament to the power of cinema in shedding light on mental health struggles with empathy and authenticity.

Having had the privilege of a private screening at the BDD Foundation, courtesy of Ashwin Agrawal, it’s evident that Broken Mirror has the potential to spark important conversations surrounding mental health. Its depiction of BDD and its impact on individuals and their loved ones is commendable and essential in bringing greater awareness and understanding of the condition.

From the opening scenes, the film demonstrates the pain and anguish experienced by individuals with BDD. The film follows a realistic trajectory, exploring the debilitating behaviours that accompany the disorder, the challenges of accessing treatment, and the solace found in support groups. Broken Mirror shows commitment to portraying the nuances of BDD without sensationalism or stereotype, allowing viewers to truly understand the internal battles fought by those affected.

Ashwin Agrawal’s direction is fantastic, navigating the delicate subject matter with extensive research, sensitivity and compassion. The performances by the cast are exceptional, with each actor embodying their characters with real authenticity.

One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of hope and resilience. As the female protagonist Ahana, played by the incredible Titiksha Taggar, navigates her journey towards self-acceptance and healing, the film beautifully illustrates the power of pursuing values unrelated to appearance. By highlighting the importance of support networks and seeking professional help, the film offers a message of hope to those grappling with similar struggles, reminding them that they are not alone in their journey towards recovery and there is so much more to them than appearance.

We are feeling lucky to have seen the film prior to it’s full release. Ashwin Agrawal and the entire team behind the film have created a piece of work that deserves recognition. The film has been nominated for multiple film festivals including LAFA 2024 and World Film Fest Cannes. With its powerful message of resilience and hope, Broken Mirror is a must-watch for audiences seeking meaningful and thought provoking cinema.

Watch this space!

‘Heart On Your Sleeve’ Chosen Designs

We are excited to share the outcome of the Tilted East x BDDF Design Opportunity

PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

The chosen t-shirt & poster designs are now available on pre-order only until 18th April, and will be shipped from 29th April. 50% of profits will support the BDD Foundation. Don’t miss out!

At the start of this year, BDD Foundation and Tilted East teamed up to collaborate on a t-shirt design opportunity, offering those living with BDD a space to share their experience through creativity and design, with the chance to have their design featured on a Tilted East t-shirt. We’ve been totally overwhelmed with how many people engaged in the opportunity, and bravely and beautifully shared their artwork alongside narratives about their personal and unique experiences of living with BDD.

Throughout March, we’ve been sharing the amazing designs we’ve received and many of the BDD community have connected what they’ve seen. It’s been such a wonderful opportunity to give each and everyone of your experiences with BDD the best chance to be recognised and understood for exactly what they are.

We are now pleased to share 2 chosen designs – one will be featured on a Tilted East t-shirt, and one on a poster.

Featured T-shirt

We have selected ‘Til I Get Okay’ By Hazel San Jose to be featured on a limited edition Tilted East T shirt.

Inside the four walls of her room, she sits atop a wooden digital box printing out the diagnosis of mirror count #1104 that reads “Getting There.” Nobody knows the lengths she has gone down the rabbit hole of appearance issues, a journey of countless mirror gazing of her facial features, testing the mirror’s authenticity. She believed it, but the strewn papers of negative diagnoses constantly reminded her that soon enough, she would be “Okay.”

Hazel’s design and narrative resonates strongly with what many people experience in BDD, and really tells a story even without the narrative. We hope many of you will relate to Hazel’s amazing design and know it’s going to look great printed on a tee!

Featured Poster

In addition to the chosen t-shirt design, we are excited to share a chosen poster design from the ‘Heart On Your Sleeve’ design opportunity. We have selected ‘Patchwork’ By Kat Hall to be featured on a limited edition Tilted East Poster.

This design represents the experience I have with BDD-at times I can see my face as a jumbled up mixture of facial features, almost like Frankenstein’s monster or a patchwork face comprising of all the “wrong” parts.

Kat’s design really stood out to us as an eye-catching piece, and also strongly resonated with the BDD experience. That feeling of facial features looking out of place, or seeing things differently each time we see ourselves in the mirror is one we are confident many will connect with.

Thanks again to everyone that took part in the design opportunity. We appreciate every one of you, as well as everyone who engaged with the art on our social media. It means so much. We loved all your designs for different reasons and will continue to share more from the artists involved over the coming weeks 💙

The t-shirt & poster are now available to pre-order only until 18th April, and will be shipped from 29th April. 50% of profits will support the BDD Foundation. Don’t miss out!

AnDy Darling Releases Song in Partnership with BDD Foundation

AnDy Darling aims to illustrate that many individuals, regardless of appearance, can grapple with feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.

We are excited to announce our collaboration with @andy_darling_ae to raise awareness about body image issues and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) through her latest song, “Skinny.” The song, available on all music streaming platforms, explores the societal pressures surrounding body image.

BDD, affecting approximately 2% of the population, is more common than disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. As many of you will know, despite its prevalence, the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding BDD often lead sufferers to feel isolated and misunderstood.

We believe in sharing through creative expression and hope this song will resonate with many of you. AnDy Darling aims to illustrate that many individuals, regardless of appearance, can grapple with feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. Beauty standards that vary across cultures contribute to confusion, suffering and distress, potentially leading to mental health challenges like BDD.

By shedding light on behaviours associated with BDD and providing resources for assistance, AnDy Darling joins us in our mission to improve understanding and promote healing among those struggling with their body image. Together, we aim to create a world where individuals feel empowered to embrace their true selves, free from societal expectations.

Give AnDy Darling’s single “Skinny” a listen!

Wood Carving as a Creative Tool for Healing through BDD

Ben shares his experience of BDD and how woodwork is helping him cope day to day

My name is Ben and I have been suffering with BDD since my late teens and so I’m getting on for nearly 23 years living with the condition. It’s been very much peaks and troughs over the years and I’ve been through various types of treatment including multiple rounds of CBT and various medications. I’ve seen some improvements but it remains something I try to deal with on a daily basis.

During the COVID pandemic, when we were all in the lockdown, I was looking for something to occupy myself with and stumbled across wood carving / whittling on YouTube. I bought myself a set of carving knives and some blocks of Basswood and gave it a go. I quickly found that I really enjoyed it and it became a brilliant way of occupying myself and providing a distraction. I continued with the wood carving beyond COVID and it’s developed over the years into a bit of an obsessive hobby!

I’ve found that it’s been a huge help with me coping with BDD on a daily basis. It provides a great source of distraction and helps me switch off from the relentless thought processes and ruminations that BDD causes. It’s also a great distraction for my hands. My BDD causes endless checking behaviours ( touching / feeling my hair in particular) which I’m not able to do when holding a carving knife and piece of wood!

I wanted to share this passion of mine as it’s genuinely been (and continues to be) a real help in dealing with this all consuming condition.

If you want any further information or just want to reach out I’d be more than happy to speak to you.

Lots of Love, Ben.

bahilton9@hotmail.com

Ella Delancey Jones on Body Dysmorphic Disorder

BDD destroyed my confidence and self-esteem – here’s how I got help

In a recent Glamour article, Ella Delancey Jones courageously writes about her battle with BDD, recounting the impact of past bullying on her self-esteem and development of the condition.

“I didn’t let anyone know how it was affecting me. The shame of it made the thought of drawing more attention to myself feel worse than the bullying.”

Much like many individuals with BDD, Ella turned to plastic surgery in an attempt to calm the thoughts and feelings BDD brought. However, sadly this led to further torment and pre-occupation.

“I stayed inside for days, alternating between looking in the mirror obsessively or dissolving into tears when I caught sight of myself in one. How, I thought, could I live when I looked like this?“

After reaching out for help, Ella received a diagnosis and CBT treatment to address her BDD symptoms. She still struggles, but is able to use the tools learnt in therapy, and is committed to continually building her confidence and self-esteem back up.

Read the Full Article

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The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation. Charity no. 1153753.