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. Glasgow, Scotland (BDD)
7. Oldham (BDD and Social Anxiety)
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)
8. BDD evening support group – Zoom
9. OCD & BDD & Eating disorders group
10. OCD & BDD & Relationships
11. LGBTQ OCD & BDD support group
12. Stockton, California, USA (BDD/Body Image) Bi-weekly telephone group
13. US Based BDD Support Group (NEW)
LOCAL GROUPS
1. Central London (Marylebone) (BDD)
Where: Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic this support group will now be held online via zoom. Please email if you would like to join.
Meeting Time: 6.30pm – 8pm
Contact: support@bddfoundation.org
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.
2. Southgate – BDD (Suspended due to the pandemic and will return as soon as possible)
Where: (Suspended due to the pandemic and will return as soon as possible)
Contact: support@bddfoundation.org
Time: 4pm – 6pm
This group 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.
3. Reading in Conjunction with Still the Hunger (BDD)
Still the Hunger runs a support group for people with BDD.
Where: Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic this support group will now be held online via zoom. Please email if you would like to join.
Contact: Beverley (beverley@stillthehunger.co.uk)
Phone: 07733 300705
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
(Suspended due to the pandemic and will return as soon as possible)
Where: Mind Oasis, 8 Woodside, Greenbank, Plymouth, PL4 8QE
Dates: Every other Wednesday.
Please phone to check times
Meeting Time: 7pm-9pm
Contact: (01752 512280)
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
Peer-led support group for sufferers of Trichotillomania, Dermatillomania and related disorders. Our group is open to sufferers as well as family members, carers, and friends.
Monthly Meetings: please contact for up-to-date meeting information.
Come along for friendly, informed and confidential support.
Email for more details and venue information.
Facilitators: Pavitt & Bridget (bfrbgrouplondon@gmail.com)
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TLCinUK/
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. Glasgow, Scotland (BDD)
(Suspended due to the pandemic and will return as soon as possible)
Where: NEW Venue! : The Gateway Centre, North Methven Street, Perth PH1 5PP
Date: Saturday 14th March
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm. Pop in at any point.
Contact: Carole
Glasgow support group for BDD sufferers and their families.No charge. Very friendly and relaxed group.
7. Oldham (BDD/Support Anxiety)
(Suspended due to the pandemic and will return as soon as possible)
Where: Meeting Room 2, Oldham library (Greaves St, Oldham OL1 1AL)
Dates: Wednesday 25th March and then on the last Wednesday of every month
Time: 6-7pm
Contact: Momoe
Social Anxiety and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Support Group. Open to anyone suffering including carers, families and friends.
Feel free to just turn up on the day or email Momoe.
ONLINE GROUPS
1. OCD Action Online Daytime BDD Support Group (Skype, landline or mobile)
Where: Skype/Landline/Mobile (audio only)
Dates: First and Third Wednesday of the month
Meeting Time: 11am
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: Second Monday of each month (Skype/Phone session)
Fourth Monday of each month (Zoom session)
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: Tuesday Group – First Tuesday of the month
Friday Group – Third Friday of the 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 and Fourth Wednesday of every month
Meeting Time: 7pm
Contact: Maxine (OCD Action sign-up volunteer)Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.ukTel: 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 – On a Spring Break, returning in June 2021
Where: Skype (choice for audio only if preferred)
Dates: Various days to allow as many people as possible
Meeting Time: 8pm
Contact: Nicole Schnackenberg
Email: nicole.schnackenberg@gmail.com
Please note, you can email Nicole to sign up to the mailing list, during the spring break.
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 Nicole on nicole.schnackenberg@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
A monthly peer-led support group that provides people the opportunity to talk to other people with BDD, share experiences, and concerns about the illness and provide mutual support. You can use audio or video, depending on your preference.
8. BDD Evening Zoom Support Group
Where: Zoom
Dates: Second and Fourth Wednesdays of each month
Meeting Time: 7pm
Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk
This Zoom group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’ and uses Zoom meetings with video. The group is for any members of the BDD Evening Skype/Phone Support Group who wish to use video instead.
We send the meeting details out and there are no 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.
9. OCD & BDD & Eating disorders group
Where: Skype/Phone
Dates: Third Monday of each month
Meeting Time: 7pm
Tel: 0303 040 1112
Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk
This Skype/Phone group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always 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 people to share experiences of having eating disorders, OCD and BDD and to offer encouragement to other people.
10. OCD & BDD & Relationships
Where: Skype/Phone
Dates: Third Wednesday of the month
Meeting Time: 7pm
Tel: 0303 040 1112
Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk
This Skype/Phone group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always 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 people to share experiences of having issues with OCD, BDD and relationships and to offer encouragement to other people.
11. LGBTQ OCD & BDD support group
Where: Skype/Phone
Dates: First Tuesday of every month from August 2020
Meeting Time: 7pm
Tel: 0303 040 1112
Email: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk
This Skype/Phone group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always 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 people who identify as LGBTQ+ to share experiences of OCD & 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.
12. Stockton, California, USA. Body Dysmorphic Anonymous (BDA) 12 Step support group
Where: Zoom
Dates/ Time: Wednesdays 6pm & Saturdays 9am (PST)
Contact: Lon @ Phone: 1 209 513 2319
Email: lss602014@icloud.com
Type: User led. For BDD sufferers who’ve struggled with this “cruel disorder” & caring supportive others.
Our BDA 12 Step oriented support group can be helpful in finding life “beyond” the confining, painful grip of BDD!! We share our “collective” perspectives deemed invaluable… our voices are powerful, as “we” uniquely understand the experience of BDD, defined by experts as an “imagined ugliness”.. !!
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.
13. U.S. Based BDD Recovery Support Group (NEW)
Where: Skype
When: First Thursday of each month at 7pm MT (US)
Contact: Eva
Email: eva@recoveryfrombdd.com
Description: Skype peer-support group focused on coping with and recovering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder
The group will be a peer-support group focused on coping with and recovering from the disorder.