Simon describes how the brutal bullying he suffered at school set him on a long journey with BDD, which culminated in a transformative stay in psychiatric hospital and writing a book about his experiences.
You can download the transcript for this episode here:
They are supporting our petition directed at the EU Parliament calling for transparency on altered images on social media. We believe organisations, companies, and influencers should be legally required to state when images have been manipulated for paid content online.
BDD is largely overlooked and undiagnosed and it can seriously affect a person’s daily life, including work, education, social life and relationships. As a result, social anxiety, isolation and depression are very common in BDD. This is why we think it’s important that the condition receives more awareness to be able to give more information and support to the ones who need it. We know that the highest rates of BDD are seen in adolescent girls (5.6%) and the proliferation of unrealistic images being viewed by this age group is causing harm.
By signing the petition, you’re advocating for change and helping raise awareness. We see a petition calling for transparency on altered images online as vital to transparency of online representation. Your signature is crucial in driving change and making an impact.
Monki collaborated with amazing female AR artists to launch a set of purpose-driven filters that help spread the word about the petition and BDD as a condition.
Both Monki and BDD Foundation believe that these filters play a part in raising awareness on the danger of comparing ourselves with altered/unrealistic images. The filters are not beauty filters and they do not portray an unrealistic beauty standard. Instead, they are fun and creative whilst promoting a positive message and supporting an important cause.
We hope that everyone using the filters will help promote an unfiltered/unretouched reality and be part of advocating for transparency in social media.
So please go ahead, download the filters, and join our movement for more transparency online.
We see Monki as an ideal fit for a collaboration with the BDD Foundation. As a brand, they have long-standing ethical policies around their marketing. They strive to challenge beauty norms in their casting from ethnicity to body shape and size and have championed a pioneering #NoFilter campaign. They do not airbrush out features such as stretch marks, body hair, birthmarks etc. Their body positive attitude, inclusivity and continued dedication to the cause signifies that Monki is a brand that genuinely cares about the wellbeing of their community and the BDD Foundation is proud to partner with them.
Berni hid what she called her “secret shame” for 40 years before discovering she’d been suffering from skin-picking disorder – a common co-morbidity with BDD that can also manifest on its own. She’s since learnt how to say no to the skin-picking voice and has even appeared in a naked calendar.
You can download the transcript for this episode here:
We knew that as a community, we have been one of the hardest hit by the restrictions, fear and isolation of the past year, and that in June, as we were starting to emerge from lockdown, new challenges were starting to emerge. That’s why we wanted to give our community a platform to celebrate the strength and resilience of people who have lived experience of BDD, OCD and BFRBs.
On our main stage, BDD room and OCD room we hosted a range of world-renowned experts who explored the latest breakthroughs in research, clinical practice, and emerging treatments. Meanwhile, our breakout rooms included a jam-packed schedule of workshops, performances and opportunities to connect.
You can watch our Main Stage video below!
Charlie said: ‘It’s been quite a tough time, this last four years especially, it all came to a head… I’m addressing a lot of things and working through it.
‘If I look at the bigger picture, it started at school, I was bullied terribly and it definitely affected me… I always felt the odd one out or not very confident.’
Charlie then discussed having a cosmetic procedure on his nose which went wrong, admitting: ‘With that I started to retract back because and I was like, I don’t want to be seen… My confidence starting chipping away again and I started falling back.’
He added: ‘When we got out of that first lockdown I went to see a plastic surgeon who agreed that an improvement could be made. So when you hear that and you’re already in a vulnerable place and self-conscious, I was like “sign me up, get me in”…
‘I had surgery number one, and quite quickly after I could see it wasn’t right. The surgery didn’t go to plan.’
Thankfully, Charlie is now receiving help. He explained: ‘I’m getting help, I’ve got a great support network and I have therapy… It will be an ongoing thing… Therapy helps me to look at the bigger picture…’
Above exerts from a Daily Mail article.
“Fraser took on the Loch Ness Marathon last Sunday to raise funds for and awareness of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation, completing the route in four hours, 49 minutes and 18 seconds.”
Fraser said: “I was diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder in 2016 after a life-long battle with my body image and have since thankfully reached a point in life where I live with it rather than suffer from it. Unfortunately, for so many people out there with BDD, they haven’t yet reached that stage and the support and awareness available to them isn’t quite hitting the mark.”
This is a revolutionary way for people to have access to experts; through the power of conversation.
Whether it’s for yourself, wanting to support someone you know, or you’re just curious to understand better, JAAQ is here. Just ask a question.
JAAQ was founded by Danny Gray with a vision to ‘change the world of mental health, one question at a time’.
As a child, Danny was bullied because of his appearance, which really impacted him. He started obsessing about the way he looked, so much so that he developed Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
He understands that when someone is experiencing a mental health problem, having access to suitable sources of information quickly and simply is crucial. Once you understand it, you can start to deal with it.
When he came across the technology that powers JAAQ, Danny immediately saw its potential. And during a restless night’s sleep, the idea for JAAQ was born. He then focused on making JAAQ a reality; with the aim to provide information to people that need it as soon as they need it.
Ten years ago, Andy used to spend eight hours a day in front of the mirror and couldn’t imagine ever being able to function. Now, he works full time and describes himself as 90% to 95% recovered.
You can download the transcript for this episode here:
Duncan will speed run the game Dishonoured 2, interview someone from the BDD Foundation, and will sing a song – all live!!
Donate what you can, but we do have some bonuses for you just like last year.
Thank you all so much for your support! See you in the chat on Friday the 20th of August from 2 pm BST! We’ll be live at the link below…
