Participate in a research study to better understand the experience of parents and carers to those living with BDD. Lucy de Garis, a Master’s student in Psychology at the University of Plymouth is seeking participants to contribute to BDD research.
Participation will involve online interviews with 6-10 parents/ carers. Interviews will last 60-90 minutes.
To find out more or take part, contact lucy.degaris@postgrad.plymouth.ac.uk
We are looking for community fundraisers to support us in funding vital resources for individuals struggling with BDD and help us continue to raise awareness. Last year, individuals ran half-marathons, completed Iron Man challenges, trekked some huge mileage, sold at car boot sales, took part in sponsored wax-a-thons, delivered art exhibition events and hosted bake sales, all in the name of helping those with BDD.
It really can be any kind of event or challenge!
If you’d like to contribute to the BDD Foundation in this way, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to discuss your idea and we can support you through the process of fundraising for us.
Yahoo Life sheds light on Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), providing valuable insights into the condition. The article comprehensively covers what BDD is, its symptoms, underlying causes, and available treatments.
Crucially, the article dispels misconceptions surrounding BDD, emphasising that it is not merely a matter of vanity but a serious mental health disorder causing significant distress. By addressing these misconceptions, the article contributes to a better understanding of BDD and improves understanding for those grappling with the disorder.
The BDD Foundation’s email support service is for anyone affected by BDD, or anyone who is concerned that they, their friends or family may have BDD or a related disorder. The service carefully reads through concerns and questions and aims to reply with high quality and accessible information about BDD and the recommended treatments. Where appropriate volunteers will also direct individuals to other sources of support for BDD, or signpost to support for other conditions and other issues. More information can be found here.
The key tasks carried about by volunteers include:
For this role, it’s important to have a good understanding of BDD and the impact it has. We look for individuals with a non-judgmental attitude, empathy and understanding, and strong written communication skills. Since the role operates remotely, we are also looking for individuals with a good level of IT literacy and confidence using a web based email system.
Training and induction will be provided. We require a minimum commitment of 2.5 hours per week on a rota basis.
Download the Application Form below, and send completed applications to volunteers@bddfoundation.org
For any questions about the role, please contact christian@bddfoundation.org
Applications will be reviewed and responded to by mid -February 2024
Please note – due to insurance reasons, this opportunity is open to those aged 18+, based in the UK and is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Channel 4 Untold speak out on Muscle Dysmorphia. The documentary featuring Miles Nazaire, follows his journey in understanding more about the condition and how it manifests, realising this is something he is suffering with and committing to continuing to raise awareness of Muscle Dysmorphia.
Miles discusses treatment options with our trustee Dr. Amita Jassi, the criteria for diagnosis and dangers of the condition with Chairman Dr. Rob Willson, and learns from the lived experience story of our ambassador George Mycock.
Check out the full video on All 4 catch up. Well worth the watch!
The Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences at Swinburne University is conducting an important survey for those with symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder, regarding their everyday thinking experiences. They are keen to hear about individuals’ with BDD everyday experience of thinking skills such as memory, attention, decision-making and planning, and would really appreciate you taking this survey. It could be used to help design new cognitive treatments for BDD.
Participation is online, open to any adults who may have symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder and English-language proficiency and will take between 15 to 25 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary. Click on the link below to participate.
People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) misperceive that parts of their appearance are flawed and unattractive. Our brain imaging studies, and previous psychological studies, suggested abnormalities in how people with BDD process what they see. This could lead to distortions in how they view their appearance. Recently, we have made exciting discoveries using various techniques that suggest we can potentially change the way the brain perceives things in people with BDD. This could be a crucial step in helping people see themselves more accurately. This talk will take you through a journey from the early research into these differences to ongoing efforts to test methods that might one day become part of treatments for individuals with BDD.
Dr. Jamie Feusner is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Director of the Brain, Body, and Perception Research Program. His research focuses on perceptual and emotional processing in conditions related to body image and obsessions/compulsions, including body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Dr. Feusner is renowned for his pioneering functional brain imaging studies in BDD, uncovering key insights into its neurobiology, including the discovery of visual perceptual abnormalities related to appearance distortions. He is currently developing and testing innovative interventions and their mechanisms to address imbalances in global and local visual processing that underlie distorted self-perception in BDD and body image disorders. Additionally, he has created digital tools for assessing appearance distortions and body dissatisfaction. With two decades of clinical expertise, Dr. Feusner also provides psychiatric care to people with BDD.
Liane Piper, recognisable for her role in the BBC documentary “Ugly Me,” will be sharing an update on her recovery journey. Her talk will include insights into her current status and the progress she’s made with recovery, drawing from her personal battle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. She aims to provide valuable perspectives to those grappling with similar challenges.
Individuals suffering from BDD all experience appearance fixations. However, people with BDD who are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community are impacted by additional and unique challenges when suffering from this condition. BDD’s impact is more pronounced in LGBTQIA+ individuals, with research showing higher BDD, body dissatisfaction, eating disorder rates, and increased substance use disorder and suicidality than heterosexual individuals. This presentation will focus on how BDD affects all identities in the LGBTQIA+ community. Topics discussed will include high rates of muscle dysmorphia found in gay men, how transgender and gender nonconforming individuals may struggle with both BDD and gender dysphoria, and how people who are bisexual may receive mixed messaging on what potential partners find attractive. Additionally, there will be a focus on how social media, dating apps, LGBTQIA+ representation in the media, and queer culture contribute to the presentation of BDD. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of how the LGBTQIA+ community is impacted by BDD, highlighting the need for researchers to do additional studies on this population and, finally, what we can do to address the epidemic of BDD in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Chris Trondsen suffered from undiagnosed, severe OCD, BDD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety and panic attacks beginning as a young child. It was not until his early 20s that Chris received both a formal diagnosis and specialised treatment. Once he concluded treatment, Chris began advocating publicly for mental health and shared his story of recovery on TV, including the Dr. Drew Show, the Montel Williams Show, and NBC, as well as in various newspapers and websites including Buzzfeed and VICE. Additionally, Chris began speaking at the annual IOCDF conference about OCD and BDD, including giving the keynote with his mom at the 2011 conference. He also helped start the Young Adult Track at the annual conference. No longer under the control of the disorders, Chris now works as a clinician in the mental health field, treating OCD, BDD, and related disorders at The Gateway Institute in Costa Mesa, California. He also currently serves as the Vice President of OCD Southern California, an official affiliate of the IOCDF. He is also a leader of the IOCDF’s BDD and LGBTQ+ Special Interest Groups, a member of two others, and recently selected to be a member of the IOCDF Board of Directors. As a lead advocate, Chris’s passions include expanding BDD awareness and education, addressing LGBTQ+ issues in mental health treatment, and expanding the IOCDF’s services to the young adult community.
