Support Groups
Support groups can play an important role during and after treatment in helping you recover from and manage your BDD and often they also include family members too. They provide a safe environment where you can talk openly about your BDD, as well as giving support and encouragement to others.
In addition to local support groups there are also online groups. The online groups run over Skype (camera optional) or you can choose to be added in with your phone. You can find a full list of the online groups here.
All the support groups the BDD Foundation advertise are independent of the Charity.
There are very few specific BDD Support Groups. We want to enable more to be set up. Please let us know if you are thinking of starting a group by emailing us at info@bddfoundation.org with the heading ‘starting a support group’ and we will try to support you.
We are stronger together!
LOCAL GROUPS
1. Marylebone, Central London (BDD)
2. Southgate, North London (BDD)
3. Reading (BDD)
4. Fleet (BDD/OCD)
5. Plymouth (BDD/OCD)
6. City of London (BFRB)
7. Inverness, Scotland (BDD)
8. Stockton, California, USA (BDD/Body Image)
ONLINE GROUPS
1. OCD Action Online Daytime BDD Support Group (2pm, Thursdays)
2. OCD Action Online Evening BDD Support Group (7pm, Wednesdays)
3. OCD Action Online Evening BDD Parents Support Group (7pm, Thursdays)
4. OCD Action Online Evening OCD, BDD & Hoarding Family Members Support Group (7pm, Wednesdays)
5. OCD Action Online Trichotillomania & Dermatillomania Support Group (7pm, Mondays)
6. Online Mindfulness Group for BDD (Various)
7. Online Skype BDD Support Group (9pm (EST) USA, Fridays)
8. Body Pride – LGBTQ+ BDD Online Support Group (Various)
LOCAL GROUPS
1. Central London (Marylebone) (BDD)
Where: The Capio Nightingale Hospital 11-19 Lisson Grove, London NW1 6SH
Meeting Time: 6.30pm – 8pm
Contact: Sophie Thorpe
Type: User led. The group will provide an opportunity to meet other people with BDD, share experiences and concerns about the illness and provide mutual support.The group also welcomes carers, family and friends.
Guest speakers, such as professionals that specialise in the treatment of BDD and people that are recovering from the illness, will be invited to give informative and inspirational talks every few months.
There is no fee to attend this group. There is no need to book – please feel free to turn up on the day!
2. Southgate – BDD
Where: The Priory Hospital North London, The Bourne, Southgate, London, N14 6RA
Please note that there is a long, often dark entrance road to The Bourne, leading to The Priory hospital. Follow the road and then enter the building’s main reception. The meeting is usually held upstairs.
Time: 4pm – 6pm
Dates: 20th January, 17th February, 17th March, (21st April – No meeting as it is Easter Sunday), 19th May, 16th June, 21st July, 18th August, 15th September, 20th October, 17th
November, 15th December.
You can just turn up to attend this free group, which is for people with BDD and their carers, families and friends. The group is user led and does not offer therapy or professional guidance but is an opportunity to share ideas and provide mutual support.
There is free parking.
3. Reading in Conjunction with Still the Hunger (BDD)
Still the Hunger runs a support group for people with BDD.
Where: 11 Glebe Road, Reading, RG2 7AG
Time: 3.30pm – 5pm
Dates: Second Saturday of each month – starting 10 December 2016
Phone: 07733 300 705
Contact: Beverley Hutton
Website: http://stillthehunger.co.uk/
Type: Professionally led. The group will provide an opportunity to meet other people with BDD, share experiences and concerns about the illness and provide mutual support. The group also welcomes carers, family and friends.
There is no fee to attend this group and no need to book. Free Parking
4. Fleet (OCD & BDD)
Where: The Key Centre, Elvetham Heath, Fleet, GU51 1AH
Dates: First Wednesday of each month
Meeting Time: 7pm – 9pm
Contact: ocdfleet@gmail.com
Or Keira Bartlett Tel: (01263) 510705 (Tues/Wed/Thurs, 9am – 5pm)
Website: http://ocdsupportgroupfleet.yolasite.com/
Type: User led. The group facilitators have personal experience of both OCD & BDD. This group offers informal meetings in a relaxed atmosphere, where people affected by OCD/BDD can talk to others in a friendly, non-judgmental way. This group does not offer specific therapy or professional guidance but is an opportunity to share ideas and provide mutual support. The group is open to sufferers, carers and friends.
There is no fee to attend this group and there is free parking nearby.
5. Plymouth – OCD & BDD Support group
Where: Mind Oasis, 8 Woodside, Greenbank, Plymouth, PL4 8QE Dates: Every other Wednesday. Please phone to check times
Meeting Time: 7pm-9pm
Contact: Joe Higman (01752 254 004)
Type: This group welcomes people with OCD, BDD and related disorders. The group is professionally led. We are a friendly support group for anyone with BDD, OCD or related disorders. Ten-twelve people attend regularly.
6. City of London – Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRB) Support Group
The BFRB Support Group is user/sufferer led and mainly for sufferers of Trichotillomania (hair pulling), Dermatillomania (skin picking) and related disorders (thumb sucking, nail biting etc.)
Where: City of London. Please contact facilitators to confirm location.
Time: Usually 2pm – 4pm. Please confirm before attending.
Dates: Usually last Sunday of the month. In 2018 Sun 24th June, Sun 15th July (special Talk by Alex Sim), Sun 5th Aug, Sun 2nd Sept, Sun 7th Oct, Sun 4th Nov, Sun 2nd Dec and Sun 6th Jan.
Contact: Pavitt & Verena
Email: bfrbgrouplondon@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TLCinUK/
Type: The BFRB Support Group is user/sufferer led and mainly for sufferers of Trichotillomania, Dermatillomania and related disorders. The group is open to all age groups, sufferers as well as family members, carers and friends.
There is no fee to attend this group but an email to facilitators prior to attending is required to confirm location, time and dates.7. Inverness, Scotland (BDD)
Where: The Hive Project, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Scotland
Dates: First Saturday of each month. Beginning Saturday April 7th 2018
Time: Pop in anytime between 6 pm and 9 pm.
Contact: Carole MacLeay
Email: gacmacleay@btinternet.com
Type: User led. The group will provide an opportunity to meet other people with BDD, share experiences and concerns about the illness and provide mutual support. The group also welcomes carers, family and friends.
There is no fee to attend and no need to book – please feel free to turn up on the day. Venue is right across street from railway station with plenty city centre parking.
Carole Macleay, the group organiser is also more than happy to travel within the North of Scotland to meet up with anyone who feels they need some support. We can meet for a cuppa and a chat. I am aware that Inverness is some distance away from most of the Highland area but please don’t let that stop you from speaking to someone about BDD. You most certainly are not alone. Carole can be contacted at gacmacleay@btinternet.com
8. Stockton, California, USA (BDD/Body Image)
Where: 8900 Thornton Rd (the Elks Lodge) Stockton, Ca 95209 – enter unit round back side #11Dates: Every Sunday
Time: 3:00-4:30pm
Contact: Lon @ Phone: 1 209 513 2319 Email: lss602014@icloud.com
Type: User led. The 12 Step group Utilizing the highly effective & time tested 12 Step model, since 1935 – will provide an opportunity to meet other people with BDD challenges, share experiences and concerns about the illness and provide mutual support. The group also welcomes carers, family and friends.
This group does not offer professional guidance but is an opportunity to share ideas and provide mutual support. The group is open to those afflicted and or caring/supportive others.
Cost: There is a nominal (good will / 7th tradition) offering requested to attend this group. Eg $1-5
ONLINE GROUPS
1. OCD Action Online Daytime BDD Support Group (Skype, landline or mobile)
Where: Skype/Landline/Mobile (audio only)
Dates: Third Thursday of the month
Meeting Time: 2pm
Contact: Maxine (OCD Action sign-up volunteer)
Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk
Tel: 0303 040 1112
This online group is run by OCD Actions ‘Even Better Together project’ and uses Skype (audio only) although participants can choose to join via landline or mobile instead.
As we send the call out – there are no phone costs with joining a session or fees to attend.
The group is an informal and supportive environment to share experiences of having BDD and to offer encouragement to others.
The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.
.2. OCD Action Online Evening BDD Support Group (Skype, landline or mobile)
Where: Skype/Landline/Mobile (audio only)
Dates: Second and Fourth Wednesday of each month
Meeting Time: 7pm
Contact: Maxine (OCD Action sign-up volunteer)
Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk
Tel: 0303 040 1112
This online group is run by OCD Actions ‘Even Better Together project’ and uses Skype (audio only) although participants can choose to join via landline or mobile instead.
As we send the call out – there are no phone costs with joining a session or fees to attend.
The group is an informal and supportive environment to share experiences of having BDD and to offer encouragement to others.
The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.
3. OCD Action Online Evening BDD Parents Support Group (Skype, landline or mobile)
Where: Skype/Landline/Mobile (audio only)
Dates: Fourth Thursday of each month
Meeting Time: 7pm
Contact: Maxine (OCD Action sign-up volunteer)
Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk
Tel: 0303 040 1112
This online group is run by OCD Actions ‘Even Better Together project’ and uses Skype (audio only) although participants can choose to join via landline or mobile instead.
As we send the call out – there are no phone costs with joining a session or fees to attend.
The group is an informal and supportive environment to share experiences of having a child with BDD and to offer encouragement to others.
The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.
4. OCD Action Online Evening OCD, BDD & Hoarding Family Members Support Group (Skype, landline or mobile)
Where: Skype/Landline/Mobile (audio only)
Dates: First Wednesday of every month
Meeting Time: 7pm
Contact: Maxine (OCD Action sign-up volunteer)
Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk
Tel: 0303 040 1112
This online group is run by OCD Actions ‘Even Better Together project’ and uses Skype (audio only) although participants can choose to join via landline or mobile instead.
As we send the call out – there are no phone costs with joining a session or fees to attend.
The group is an informal and supportive environment for family members of a person with OCD, BDD & Hoarding issues to share experiences and to offer encouragement to others.
The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.5. OCD Action Online Trichotillomania & Dermatillomania Support Group (Skype, landline or mobile)
Where: Skype/Landline/Mobile (audio only)
Dates: Second Monday of every month
Meeting Time: 7pm
Contact: Maxine (OCD Action sign-up volunteer)
Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk
Tel: 0303 040 1112
This online group is run by OCD Actions ‘Even Better Together project’ and uses Skype (audio only) although participants can choose to join via landline or mobile instead.
As we send the call out – there are no phone costs with joining a session or fees to attend.
The group is an informal and supportive environment to share experiences of Trichotillomania (hair pulling) and Dermatillomania (skin picking) issues and to offer encouragement to others.
The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.
6. Online Mindfulness Group for BDD
Where: Skype (choice for audio only if preferred)
Dates: Various days to allow as many people as possible
Meeting Time: 8pm
Contact: Nicole Schnackenberg and Richard Cox
Email: deepstateconsciousness@gmail.com
A monthly support group, exploring mindfulness-based approaches to body dysmorphic disorder, takes place online on various days each month (to allow as many people to access the group as possible) at 8pm. The group is co-facilitated by Nicole Schnackenberg, a trustee of the BDD Foundation, and Richard Cox, a certified meditation teacher. You can opt to use sound only (no use of video is required to participate in the group).
For more information, please visit or to be added to the mailing list and receive notifications of upcoming meeting dates, please email Richard on deepstateconsciousness@gmail.com.
7. Online Skype BDD Support Group (USA)
Where: Skype (choice for audio only if preferred)
Dates: First and Third Friday of each month
Meeting Time: 9pm (Eastern Standard Time)
Contact: John M.
Phone: 848-218-7398
Email: jmornings711@yahoo.com
8. Body Pride – LGBTQ+ BDD Online Support Group – Supported by OCD Action ‘Even Better Together’ Project
Where: Skype (choice for audio only if preferred)
Dates: various to allow as many people as possible to attend.
Contact: Terry
Phone: 07746 166 530
Email: info@bodypride.org.uk
Type: Peer led. This group is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* and queer people to meet others with BDD, share experiences, and provides mutual support in a friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere. It is a confidential space, for adults aged 18 years and over. You can participate by sharing or just listening, it’s up to you.