Category Archives: News

After the success of our first pilot, which adapted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (CBT-BDD) to a group setting for the first time, we are happy to announce that we will be running a similar programme again from the beginning of May.

The main feature of the group was that it combined the evidence-based therapeutic approaches with the lived-expertise of the group facilitators, which participants said was “inspiring”.

One participant who took part in the programme told us how much the group has helped them to overcome fear and anxiety related to their appearance, which has in the past held them back: “Before the group I was doing a lot of mirror checking and avoided leaving the house…now I’m not doing as much because I now know it makes me feel worse if I do it […] I’ve been able to see more friends, and I feel more confident about the future.”

Hannah Lewis, who is the Project Lead for the pilot, has said the following: “I’m really pleased with how successful the first pilot of the structured support group has been. It has been such a privilege to work with facilitators who have shared their own experiences of BDD and inspired others on the road to recovery. It has been really wonderful to see the participants engage with the therapy and overcome their anxieties – I’m now looking forward to helping even more people to overcome their BDD.”

 

In order to allow even more people with BDD to take part in this programme, the next iteration will be based online and for a longer period of 20 weeks.

 

If you would like to express an interest in joining the group or find out more information, please contact Hannah@bddfoundation.org

Two new audio series to listen to, which discuss Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and how it can be effective in treating BDD.

Let’s Talk About CBT
This is a podcast about cognitive behavioural therapy: what it is, what it’s not and how it can be useful. Dr Lucy Maddox interviews experts in the field including people who have experienced CBT for themselves. A mix of interviews, myth-busting and CBT jargon explained, this accessible podcast is brought to you by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.

CBT for Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Most of us have some worries about how we look, but what if those worries get so bad they stop you being able to go out?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a serious problem but it can be overcome, as Gareth explains. Gareth and Prof David Veale talk to Dr Lucy Maddox.

For the first time, the BDD Foundation is harnessing the clinical expertise from its Trustees – and leaders in the field – Dr Rob Willson and Professor David Veale, in order to launch a guided therapy group. The group will entail tried and tested approaches to overcoming BDD, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

The project will mean that more people will have access to evidence-based treatment for BDD, which is crucial as we often hear that accessing sufficient support and treatment is often a challenge for those with the condition.

The group will have both the advantages of a peer support group whilst having the structure of evidence-based clinical approaches.

Hannah Lewis, who is the Project Lead for the pilot, has said the following: “This is an incredibly exciting time in terms of broadening the treatment available for people who have BDD. As a lesser known mental illness, it is crucial that we run pilots like these. Guided group therapy is a very progressive move in the field of BDD treatment, and can ultimately mean that we can reach more people and support them to overcome BDD. As someone who has lived experience of BDD, I can understand the frustrations of individuals who are struggling to access appropriate treatment. The BDD Foundation is embarking on an incredibly exciting journey and I am so excited to be a part of it.”

The group will last for 12 weeks and will take place in Central London on Wednesday evenings, the first being on the 5^th September.

 If you would like to express an interest in joining the group or find out more information, please email Hannah@bddfoundation.org

Amazon Smile

Amazon donates 0.5% of the net purchase price (excluding VAT, returns and shipping fees) of eligible purchases to the charitable organisation of your choice.

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.

Support The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation by starting your shopping at https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1153753-0

A selection of beautiful Christmas cards by BDD Foundation Trustee and designer, Kitty Wallace, are now available to purchase directly from Kitty’s site. The cards feature three different but equally eye-catching designs shown above and are available in various pack sizes ranging from 10 to 100. They can be bought in packs of a single design or as an assorted selection.

The cards are available at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KittyWallaceDesigns?ref=l2-shop-info-name

All the proceeds from the cards go to the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation.
Thank you for supporting us.

Dear BDD Foundation Members,

We are pleased to announce that our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday 28^th September 2017 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Canvas Café on 42 Hanbury St, London E1 5JL.

A charity’s AGM is held once a year and members of the charity can attend and vote. The aim of the AGM is to provide the charity trustees the opportunity to explain their management of the charity to the members. It also provides the members of the charity with an opportunity to ask questions before voting on business items on the agenda.

1. Proposed Amendment to Constitution

 We are proposing to a resolution to amend the Constitution to allow trustees to be reappointed if they have served for over three consecutive terms.  This is important as the BDD Foundation is still in its infancy and needs a core group to carry it through new growth.

Currently the Constitution of The Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Foundation Clause 16 states:

“16. Reappointment of charity trustees

Any person who retires as a charity trustee by rotation or by giving notice to the CIO is eligible for reappointment. [A charity trustee who has served for [three] consecutive terms may not be reappointed for a [fourth] consecutive term but may be reappointed after an interval of at least [three years].]”

We propose removing the bracketed text “[A charity trustee who has served for [three] consecutive terms may not be reappointed for a [fourth] consecutive term but may be reappointed after an interval of at least [three years].]”.

2. Re-election of Trustees

Of the current trustees Minnie Iris and Nicole Schnackenberg will be up for re-election at the AGM


 3. Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements

Please find attached Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements ending 30^th September 2016.

Please join us after the AGM for a talk about Body Dysmorphic Disorder by a leading expert in the field and member’s social.

The event is free to attend.  However we are entirely reliant on the generosity of our members so please consider a donation to The BDD Foundation. We are committed to raising awareness and finding more ways to help sufferers and their families. All money raised goes directly to fighting BDD.

It would help us to know numbers so please RSVP via EventBrite by clicking this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-bdd-foundation-annual-general-meeting-agm-2017-tickets-36357641685

We hope to see you in September!

Warmest regards,

The BDD Foundation Trustees

 

FAQs

Disabled Access? 

Unfortunately not, as Canvas Cafe is housed in an old building. The meeting is held in the basement space via stairs with no elevator. Please let us know by emailing amoreena@bddfoundation.org if this presents an obstacle to you attending the AGM.

What are my transport options getting to the event?

By public transport:

Nearest Tube/Overground stations:

The Canvas Café is almost equidistant from Aldagte East, Whitechapel, Liverpool Street, Liverpool Street Undergound, and Shorditch High Street stations.

 

Is parking available?

There is on-street parking on Hanbury Street, that’s free after 7:30pm. You can also find metered parking just further up Hanbury Street if you drive East from the cafe.

Alternatively, there is a large car park on Brick Lane opposite the gated entrance to the Truman Brewery.  They charge approximately £10 per day.  Exact Location : 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL.

David Veale’s band BEDLAM plays 60-70s covers in a charity gig for @ocdaction ‏& @BDDFoundation

1st July

Get your tickets now – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bedlam-music-tickets-9420951319

‘Reflections on Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Stories of Courage, Determination and Hope’ contains the lived experiences of thirty-six people with BDD and their loved ones. 

“This is a landmark book – written mostly by sufferers, family members, and carers of those who have struggled with cruel disorder. Their perspective is invaluable, their voices are powerful, and they uniquely understand the experience of BDD”. ~ Professor Katharine Phillips, MD

Now available as an E-Book. Also available in Paperback on Amazon and Lulu.

‘Reflections on Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Stories of Courage, Determination and Hope’ contains the lived experiences of thirty-six people with BDD and their loved ones. Due to be released on the date of the Second International BDD Conference in London on 26th November 2016. Special conference price = £10. Usual retail price = £12.99. Available on Lulu now – click here. Also available on Amazon UK.