With the holidays approaching (often a difficult time of year for anyone affected by BDD) we wanted to bring you a Christmas Special Webinar.
We have a wonderful group of people speaking about how they have managed (or not) during the holidays when living with BDD. They will share their experiences as well as discussing what helped them, what didn’t, and giving some hints and tips to family members about how best they can support their loved one.
We’d also like to recognise that not everyone experiencing BDD celebrates Christmas, and that depending on your background and culture there may be holidays or periods of time that involve similar pressures and triggers to what we talk about in the webinar. With this in mind, we hope that this webinar is still helpful.
Date: Wednesday 7th December
Time: 7-8pm GMT
Presenting: Andy Hall, Kim Booker, Mia Hill and Lawrence Baker.
The study also will also explore how these types of difficulties (i.e. eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder) could be prevented in the future.
They want to talk to people who have the first-hand experience of body image problems and use their valuable insights and expertise.
The study is important because it could influence prevention strategies in the school environment which could stop young people from developing problems associated with body image such as eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder.
Meet Robyn Stern: She is a licensed clinical social worker in the United States specializing in treating BDD. She was formally diagnosed with BDD when she was 22 years old after several years of not knowing what was wrong with her, misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety and struggling to maintain day to day tasks and functioning.
“Life as a I knew it failed to exist, as my thoughts about my appearance consumed me and took away all the joy in my life; (family, friends, and school). The thoughts of my appearance being faulty, led me to feel defective, different, and just not sure how to navigate the world on a day-to-day basis.”
Robyn accessed evidence-based treatment and utilized Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy as well as more intensive psychotherapy with a licensed therapist:
“I have learned that BDD and my physical appearance do not need to define me and how I choose to live each day. The work while challenging has given me a place in recovery, which has allowed me to give to other people. I am extremely enthusiastic about understanding the complexities of this disorder because it took so much life from me, but most importantly, I want to help others.”
University College London are looking to invite participants to take part in an interview to discuss their experiences living with Muscle Dysmorphia.
If you are a man aged 18-40, with an interest in taking part in the study please contact the principal researcher Omar: omar.aga.19@ucl.ac.uk
All information provided will be confidential.
An opportunity for professionals, researchers, students, and those with lived experience to find community and to learn more about BDD.
Join this virtual event on Saturday, May 31, 2025!
