Online Support Groups
Support groups provide a safe environment where you can talk openly about your BDD, as well as giving support and encouragement to others.
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.
You can access our online support groups from anywhere in the world. We hope the online groups will help build a supportive BDD Community that anyone can become a part of. Please note the time zones of the different groups.
All the support groups the we advertise here, except for number 1.) are independent of the BDD Foundation.
1.) BDD Foundation’s Zoom BDD Support Group (UK based but open to all)
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.
When: 2nd & 4th Monday of every Month. 6.30-8pm GMT.
Upcoming Dates 2024: January 8th & 22nd, February 12th & 26th, March 11th & 25th, April 8th & 22nd, May 13th & 27th, June 10th & 24th, July 8th & 22nd, August 12th & 26th, September 9th & 23rd, October 14th & 28th, November 11th & 25th, December 9th & 23rd.
Where: On Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: support@bddfoundation.org to register
Funded by the National Lottery
2.) Zoom Evening BDD Support Group run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: This Zoom group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’ and uses Zoom meetings with video. 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.
When: 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month, 7pm
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
3.) Zoom OCD, BDD & Depression Support Group run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: This Zoom group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’ and uses Zoom meetings with video. 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.
When: 1st Monday & 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7pm
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
4.) Zoom OCD & BDD & Eating disorders group run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: This group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’. 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.
When: 4th Monday of every Month, 7pm
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
5.) Zoom Youth Support Group (ages 16 – 20) for OCD, BDD, Trich & Derm run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: This online group is run by OCD Actions ‘Even Better Together project’ and and uses Zoom and Phone to run the sessions. There are two sessions a month which alternate between Zoom and phone. For the phone group, there are no phone costs to joining a session or fees to attend. The group is an informal and supportive environment 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.
When: 1st & 3rd Thursday of every month, 7 – 9pm
Where: Two sessions a month which alternate between Zoom (video use optional) and Phone
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
6.) Zoom Parents/ Guardians BDD Support Group run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: This online group is run by OCD Actions ‘Even Better Together project’ and uses Zoom (camera use optional). It is free 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.
When: 1st Tuesday of every Month, 7pm
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
7.) Zoom/ Phone Partners of people with BDD run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: This online group is run by OCD Actions ‘Even Better Together project’ and and uses Zoom and Phone to run the sessions. There are two sessions a month which alternate between Zoom and phone. For the phone group, there are no phone costs to 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.
When: Zoom – 2nd & 4th Thursday of every month, 7pm, Phone – 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7pm.
Where: Two sessions a month which alternate between Zoom (video use optional) and Phone
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
8.) Zoom Student Group, OCD, BDD & Related Disorders run by OCD Action (UK only)
The student group package includes two monthly support group sessions, a quarterly Navigating Services session and a quarterly Speaker Session. The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.
When: 1st Tuesday and 3rd Wednesday, 7pm
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
9.) Zoom/ Phone Support Group for those who identify as a man living with OCD & BDD support group run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: The group is an informal and supportive environment for men to share experiences of OCD & BDD and to offer encouragement to others. This Zoom / phone group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’. The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.
When: 4th Tuesday of the month via phone, 4th Tuesday of the month on zoom
Where: Zoom/ Phone (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
10.) Zoom Support group for those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Queer, living with OCD and/or BDD run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: 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. This Zoom group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’. The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.
When: 1st Tuesday of every Month, 7pm
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
11.) Zoom Support Group for people of colour living with OCD, BDD or related condition run by OCD Action. (UK only)
Type: The group is an informal and supportive environment for those who identify as a person of colour, living with OCD and/or BDD to share their experiences and to offer encouragement to others. This Zoom group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’. The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.
When: 3rd Monday of every month at 7pm (GMT)
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
12.) Zoom Support Group for individuals who have Autism alongside their OCD, BDD or related condition run by OCD Action. (UK only)
Type: The group is an informal and supportive environment for those who have autism alongside OCD and/or BDD to share their experiences and to offer encouragement to others. This Zoom group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’.
When: 4th Wednesday & 4th Thursday of every month at 7pm (GMT)
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
13.) GoogleMeet BFRB UK & Ireland peer-support Group
Type: BFRB UK & Ireland runs peer-led support groups for people living with body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs) such as trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), dermatillomania (skin picking disorder) and related disorders. They also run a group for family, carers, and friends of people living BFRBs.
When: Fortnightly on Sundays from 2-3.30pm for people with BFRBs, Monthly on Wednesdays from 8-9pm for loved ones of those with BFRBs. These times are subject to change, please check our website for up-to-date details.
Where: GoogleMeet (camera use optional)
Contact: hello@bfrbukandireland.com or go to bfrbukireland.com
14.) Zoom/ Phone Trichotillomania & Dermatillomania Support Group run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: This online group is run by OCD Actions ‘Even Better Together project’ and and uses Zoom and Phone to run the sessions. There are two sessions a month which alternate between Zoom and phone. For the phone group, there are no phone costs to 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.
When: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of every Month, 7 – 9pm
Where: Two sessions a month which alternate between Zoom (video use optional) and Phone
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
15.) Zoom Support Group for those who are currently on the waiting list for treatment for OCD, BDD or related condition run by OCD Action. (UK only)
Type: The group is an informal and supportive environment for those who are currently on the waiting list for treatment for OCD and/or BDD to share their experiences and to offer encouragement to others. This Zoom group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’. The group also has a closed Facebook group of which participants are offered access to if they wish.
When: 3rd Monday of every month at 7pm (GMT)
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
16.) GoogleMeet BDD New Mindset support group
Type: The group is a friendly and informal non-judgemental safe space to talk openly, facilitated by a peer support specialist, who has lived experience of BDD. This group does not offer professional guidance, but is an opportunity to share experiences and concerns, to foster a supportive community, and provide information sharing and mutual support to feel understood and encouraged in coping with, recovering from, and management of appearance dissatisfaction and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). The group is UK based but open to all. For adults age 18 and over.
When: Weekly, Tuesdays 6pm – 7pm GMT
Where: GoogleMeet (camera use optional). The group also offers and in person support group in Cheshire, United Kingdom, on the first Saturday of each month, contact Jem for more information.
Contact: jem@jemgunn.com
17.) Body Dysmorphic Anonymous (BDA) (USA based but open to all)
Type: User led. We are a 12 step group that support each other to recover from the cruel disorder of Body Dysmorphia. Our support group can be helpful in finding life beyond the confining, painful grip of BDD. We share our experience, strength and hope in recovery. Our voices are powerful, as we uniquely understand the experience of BDD. 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.
When: Wednesdays 6pm & Sundays 12pm (PST)
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: Lon lss602014@icloud.com
18.) Skype BDD Recovery Support Group (USA)
Type: Skype peer support group for people suffering from BDD symptoms. The focus is on sharing personal experiences and getting/providing support to others who coping with and recovering from BDD. Participants can join via audio and video or just audio.
When: Second & Fourth Thursday of each month, 7pm MT or 9pm ET (US)
Where: Skype
Contact: Eva eva@recoveryfrombdd.com
19.) Skype Support Group for therapists with BDD and/or OCD (USA)
Type: Skype BDD/OCD support group for therapists and clinicians with BDD and/or OCD symptoms. The group’s purpose is for treatment professionals to share their personal experiences and receive/provide peer support. The group participants and conversations are confidential. The group is led by a peer support specialist who has recovered from BDD and by a therapist with BDD and OCD.
When: Third Thursday of each month, 9pm ET/ 7pm MT (US)
Where: Skype
Contact: Eva eva@recoveryfrombdd.com
20.) Skype BDD Support Group for Parents and Partners (USA)
Type: Skype BDD support group for parents, partners, and family members of people with body dysmorphic disorder. The group’s purpose is for caregivers of people with BDD to share their personal experiences and receive/provide support. The group is led by a peer support specialist who has recovered from BDD.
When: Second Wednesday of each month, 9pm ET/ 7pm MT (US)
Where: Skype
Contact: Eva eva@recoveryfrombdd.com
21.) Zoom BDD Support Group (India based)
Type: Led by a clinician from Jivitadoulia (a mental health organisation), this support group is conducted in Hindi and English to foster cultural inclusion. It provides a non-judgmental space where individuals can openly share and be heard, receiving support and validation. Participants learn coping strategies, identify triggers and work towards reducing the stigma associated with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
When: Third Thursday of every month at 7pm (IST) India
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: jivitadoulia@gmail.com
22.) Zoom Support Group for those who experience Hoarding alongside their OCD, BDD or related condition run by OCD Action (UK only)
Type: The group is an informal and supportive environment for those who experience hoarding, OCD and/or BDD to share their experiences and to offer encouragement to others. This Zoom group is run by OCD Actions ‘Always Better Together project’.
When: 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7pm (GMT)
Where: Zoom (camera use optional)
Contact: sign-up@ebtsupportgroups.co.uk or 020 7036 9883
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