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. Plymouth (BDD/OCD)
5. City of London (BFRB)
6. Inverness, Scotland (BDD)
7. Stockton, California, USA (BDD/Body Image)
8. Glasgow, Scotland (BDD)

ONLINE GROUPS

1. OCD Action Online Daytime BDD Support Group (2pm, Third Wednesday of each month)
2. OCD Action Online Evening BDD Support Group (7pm, Wednesdays)
3. OCD Action Online Evening BDD Parents Support Group (7pm, Second Monday)
4. OCD Action Online Evening OCD, BDD & Hoarding Family Members Support Group (7pm, First Monday)
5. OCD Action Online Trichotillomania & Dermatillomania Support Group (7pm, First & Third Tuesdays)
6. Online Mindfulness Group for BDD (Various)
7. Online Skype BDD Support Group (9pm (EST) USA, Fridays)

LOCAL GROUPS

1. Central London (Marylebone) (BDD)

Where: The Capio Nightingale Hospital 11-19 Lisson Grove, London NW1 6SH

Dates for 2019: 7th January, 4th February, 4th March, 1st April, 6th May, 3rd June, 1st July, 5th August, 2nd September, 7th October, 4th November, 2nd December.

Meeting Time: 6.30pm – 8pm

Contact: Minnie Iris

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.

Contact: Minnie Iris

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, 17thNovember, 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. 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.

5. 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: First Sunday of the month. So in 2019: 3 March, 7 April, 5 May, 2 June, 7 July, 4 Aug, 1 Sept, 6 Oct, 3 Nov, 1 Dec 2019

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.

6. Inverness, Scotland (BDD)

Where: The Hive Project, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Scotland

Dates: First Saturday of each month. Beginning Saturday April 7^th 2018Time: 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

7. Stockton, California, USA (BDD/Body Image)

Where: 8900 Thornton Rd (the Elks Lodge) Stockton, Ca 95209 – enter unit round back side #11

Dates: 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

8. Glasgow, Scotland (BDD)

Where: Mercure Glasgow City Hotel, 201 Ingram Street (beside George Square).

Date: Saturday 2nd March

Time: 2 pm to 4 pm. Pop in at any point.

Contact: Carole

Type: A user led group meeting for the first time.

Glasgow support group for BDD sufferers and their families.No charge. Very friendly and relaxed group.

ONLINE GROUPS

1. OCD Action Online Daytime BDD Support Group (Skype, landline or mobile)

Where: Skype/Landline/Mobile (audio only)

Dates: Third Wednesday of the month

Meeting Time: 2pm

Contact: Maxine (OCD Action sign-up volunteer)

Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk

Tel: 0303 040 1112