The BDD Foundation - The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation

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The BDD Foundation - The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation

With the right help and support BDD is treatable and beatable. It can affect both men and women, and makes sufferers excessively self-conscious.

The BDD Foundation is the only charity in the world exclusively dedicated to raising awareness and alleviating the suffering caused by Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). The term Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) describes a disabling preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in appearance. They tend to check their appearance repeatedly and try to camouflage or alter the defects they see, often unde

rgoing needless cosmetic treatments. Onlookers are frequently perplexed because they can see nothing out of the ordinary, but BDD causes devastating distress and interferes substantially with the ability to function socially. The BDD Foundation cares greatly about the distress BDD causes but we are not a crisis service. If you are looking for further information or support please contact our email helpline: [email protected] Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to messages posted to Facebook or FB Messenger.

15/06/2026

📢 Tickets are now on sale! 📢

Join us for the BDD Foundation Conference 2026: Building Courage & Community 💙

This inspiring day will bring together leading clinicians, people with lived experience, family members and supporters to explore recovery, connection and hope in the context of Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

📍 Regent's University London, NW1 4NS
📅 10 October 2026

Whether you're affected by BDD, supporting a loved one, or working in the field, we'd love to welcome you.

🎫 Click this link to secure your place today https://bddfoundation.org/building-courage-and-community-2026-bdd-conference/

11/06/2026

💡 Research participants needed for a research study

Dominique Omeonga, a Trainee Counselling Psychologist at Middlesex University is conducting a study that aims to explore how Black British women make sense of their experiences of living with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and engaging in psychological therapy.

You can take part if you:

- Are a Black British cisgender woman aged 18 or over (including African, Caribbean, or mixed Black heritage).
- Experience ongoing or past persistent preoccupation with perceived appearance concerns consistent with BDD (a formal diagnosis is not required).
- Have completed psychological therapy where BDD or appearance-related distress was the primary focus between 6 months and 3 years ago.
- Are not currently receiving therapy specifically for BDD or experiencing acute psychological distress.
- Are able to participate in an interview conducted in English.

Taking part includes:

- A brief 10-15 minute call and one confidential online interview (60-90 mins)
- A brief questionnaire
- An opportunity to reflect on your experiences and contribute to an under-researched topic with the aim of informing future psychological practice

04/06/2026

⛰️🎉 A huge congratulations and heartfelt thank you to our incredible 3 Peaks Challenge team: Sam, Rob, Rebecca and Tom!

In May, they took on one of the UK's toughest endurance challenges, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon in support of the BDD Foundation. Not only did they conquer three mountains, but they also helped raise vital awareness and funds for Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Every step climbed, every conversation sparked, and every pound raised is helping us support those affected by BDD and work towards a future where nobody has to struggle alone.

We are so proud of what this team has achieved and incredibly grateful for their dedication, energy, and commitment, including raising over £5.5k in funds.

Please join us in celebrating this amazing accomplishment! 💙

01/06/2026

💡 Research participants needed for an anonymous online study
⁠
Researchers from UCL would like to hear from those who have sought support for BDD, whether you’ve been able to access treatment or found it hard to. Participants do not need to have a formal BDD diagnosis.

Taking part involves an anonymous online survey which will take about 20 minutes. This will ask about your experiences of seeking support for BDD and accessing treatment.

You will also be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a £20 voucher

You can take part if:

- Age 18+
- Have experienced appearance related concerns consistent with BDD (diagnosed or not)
- Currently living in the UK
- Able to read and understand English
⁠
If you are interested in finding out more or taking part, follow the link in our bio to 'BDD Stories'.⁠
⁠

30/05/2026

We still have 2 charity places remaining for the Big Half Marathon, taking place on 6th September 2026. ⁠
⁠
This iconic London half marathon is a brilliant opportunity to challenge yourself while raising vital funds and awareness for people affected by BDD.⁠
⁠
Each charity place has a minimum fundraising target of £700, with full support from our team along the way. ⁠
⁠
📩 If you’re interested in taking part or would like more information, please email [email protected] to express your interest. ⁠
⁠
We’d love to have you on the team!

28/05/2026

🎙️ Episode 40 of Beating BDD is now live!⁠
⁠
In this episode, Sheila reflects on the role that cultural expectations and painful childhood experiences played in her developing Body Dysmorphic Disorder. She describes how sharing her experiences within the African Caribbean community is helping reduce the shame around mental health issues.
⁠
A huge thank you to Sheila for sharing her story and insights.

🎧 Available on our website and all usual podcast platforms⁠
⁠

26/05/2026

💡 Research participants needed
⁠
UCL Researchers are seeking adult participants for research on Body Dysmorphic Disorder symptoms.

The study aims to explore the experiences of people in the UK with BDD who have sought support from mental health services. The researchers are looking to understand barriers and facilitators to getting help, to inform improvements in support and care.

Taking part involves a 1 hour confidential interview via phone or video call. This will ask about your journey in recognising symptoms, seeking help and receiving treatment

You will receive a £10 thank you for your time.

You can take part if:

- Age 18+
- Self-identify as having BDD (diagnosed or not)
- Have sought out or received psychological treatment for BDD-related concerns in the UK
- Fluent in English

If you are interested in finding out more or taking part, follow these links: https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_eyXxlkBXElzpeWa?Q_CHL=qr

15/05/2026

We are honoured to announce the creation & celebration of an inaugural Body Dysmorphic Disorder Awareness Day on September 3rd presented by the the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) & the BDD Foundation. We have exciting plans for the day including a social media campaign that highlights the BDD lived experience voice.

If you have experience of BDD and feel comfortable doing so, we would love to invite you to take part in the social media awareness campaign. Hearing directly from people with BDD can spread understanding, hope and help others feel less alone.

If you'd like to participate, we've created a short form where you can share as much or as little as feels right to you: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mybddstory

14/05/2026

💡 Research participants needed
⁠
UCL Researchers are seeking adult participants for research on Body Dysmorphic Disorder symptoms.

Body dysmorphic symptoms are thought to exist along a spectrum in the general population, with some not experiencing these at all, while others experience these at a high level. The research team are interested in how these experiences relate to the types of feedback we request from other people about us (e.g. reassurance).

Understanding this better has the potential to improve support and aid our understanding of BDD.

Taking part includes a brief 10-15 min online survey, and a chance to win one of five £20 vouchers.

You can take part if:

- Age 18+
- Fluent in English

You do not need to experience BDD symptoms or body image concerns in order to participate.

If you are interested in finding out more or taking part, follow this link https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_6lEZoy0Icwi5IRo?Q_CHL=qr or contact the research team.

09/05/2026

A huge thank you to our incredible first-ever London Marathon team! 🏅

Each runner had their own personal connection to the cause, and we’ve been truly inspired by their dedication, determination, and perseverance every step of the way.

Together, Ulrike, Danny, Charlotte, and Dom raised an incredible £8.5k for the BDD Foundation, while also helping to raise vital awareness of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. 🙌

Feeling inspired? Applications to run the London Marathon for the BDD Foundation are now open: https://bddfoundation.org/run-the-london-marathon-2027-for-bddf/

Address

45b Stanford Road
London
N113HY

Website

http://www.bddfoundation.org/

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