The BDD Foundation - The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation

18/11/2025

Meet Charlie - one of our amazing London Marathon 2026 runners!

Charlie lives with BDD herself, and knows just how painful, isolating, and misunderstood the condition can be. The BDD Foundation played a crucial role in her recovery, giving her clarity, guidance, and a community when she needed it most. We are so grateful that she’s now taking on 26.2 miles to support us and give back - swipe to check out her story and motives for running.

THANK YOU Charlie for your commitment to this incredible challenge. You’ve got this! 🙌

Show Charlie your support 💙 https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/charlotte-walker

17/11/2025

📣 We’re hiring!

We’re looking for someone to cover a team member for a 3-month period (April–July 2026). If you have the relevant skills, are passionate about what we do and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

More info is available on our website, applications via CharityJob. Apply by 3rd December 2025.

Please contact gem@bddfoundation.org if you’d like to arrange an informal chat about either/both of the roles.⁠

https://bddfoundation.org/were-hiring-project-manager/
https://bddfoundation.org/were-hiring-administrator/

Open to UK based applicants.

15/11/2025

Cosmetic procedures are often promoted as a quick route to confidence, but for people experiencing BDD or body image distress, they can sometimes worsen the insecurities they aim to fix.

Join us for this highly requested webinar, where clinical psychologist and researcher, Dr Toni Pikoos will explore the complex relationship between cosmetic procedures, beauty treatments and BDD. Drawing on clinical experience and current research, Toni will unpack why cosmetic interventions can feel so compelling, what happens when expectations aren’t met, and how practitioners and individuals can make safer, more informed choices.

Register via: https://bddfoundation.org/webinar-bdd-and-cosmetic-treatments/

📅 8th December: 7-8pm GMT

Please note, as Dr Pikoos is based in Australia, due to time differences this will be a pre-recorded session.

14/11/2025

Researchers at King’s College London are testing whether the personalised nutrition programme ZOE can help improve symptoms of BDD.

You’ll get free access to ZOE and personalised advice on foods to support your gut health. You’ll be asked to provide stool samples and complete short questionnaires about your mental health, nutrition, and experience using ZOE.

You can take part if you:
• Have a diagnosis of BDD
• Are 18+
• Are not currently in psychological therapy
• Have never had an eating disorder
• Are not on a special diet (e.g. for diabetes)

This study is led by Professor David Veale at King’s College London.

Interested? Find out more or sign up here 👉 https://bddfoundation.org/kings-college-zoe-research-project/

12/11/2025

The countdown is on… 👀
From 2 - 9 December, your donations will be doubled during the Big Give 2025 Christmas Challenge! We’re raising funds for our 2026 BDD Conference.

More info very soon!

11/11/2025

We’re taking part in the Big Give 2025 Christmas Challenge!

From 2 - 9 December, every donation you make will be doubled - meaning double the donation, double the impact.

This year, we’re raising funds for our 2026 Conference, a space for our community to connect, learn, inspire, and share insights to support recovery from BDD.

Your generosity during Big Give week will help us bring people together, offer hope, and create meaningful change for those affected by BDD.

💫 Match funding open between 2 - 9 December… watch this space!

10/11/2025

Join us this evening!
https://bddfoundation.org/webinar-series-medication-bdd-young-people/

We’re so excited to share with you the first topic of our Winter Webinar series.

Join us for a session with Dr Bruce Clark, a senior Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and an expert in OCD and BDD, leading the National and Specialist OCD, BDD and Related Disorders Service at The Maudsley Hospital.

Bruce will be exploring the role of medication in treating BDD in young people.
We’ll be covering:
➡️ When medication should be considered in BDD treatment plans
➡️ Commonly prescribed medications and how they work
➡️ Balancing medication alongside CBT treatment
➡️ Managing expectations and monitoring progress in young people

Register now to secure your spot: https://bddfoundation.org/webinar-series-medication-bdd-young-people/

📅 10th November: 7-8pm GMT

06/11/2025

Join us for an interview with Dr Katharine Phillips, one of the world’s leading experts on BDD, as she explores the lesser known but deeply painful condition known as BDD by Proxy.

In this conversation, we’ll explore what BDD by Proxy is, how it differs from BDD, and what we know about its symptoms, prevalence, effects on relationships and daily life. She will also discuss treatment options and offer practical advice for both clinicians and those supporting someone affected.

Register your place: https://bddfoundation.org/webinar-bdd-by-proxy/

📅 1st December: 7-8pm GMT

05/11/2025

Join us for an engaging, practical and highly requested session with Dr Rob Willson, cognitive behavioural therapist and Chair of the BDD Foundation, as he explores mirror retraining in the treatment of BDD.

We'll be covering:
➡️ How individuals with BDD can start changing their relationship with the mirror
➡️ Understanding functional mirror usage
➡️ The theory behind mirror retraining within CBT
➡️ How mirror behaviours maintain and fuel BDD symptoms
➡️ Guidance on practical steps on practicing mirror retraining

Register your place here: https://bddfoundation.org/webinar-mirror-retraining/

📅 24th November: 7-8pm GMT

03/11/2025

For our second webinar of the series, we are joined by Dr Sarah Lavender to understand what CBT for BDD should include to be helpful and effective.

Dr Sarah Lavender is a Clinical Psychologist for the National and Specialist OCD, BDD and Related Disorders at The Maudsley.

Sarah will be covering what’s been learnt by studying the measurable outcomes of therapy, in research and everyday therapy sessions, as well as information directly from those who have made use of CBT for BDD. We hope that this session will be helpful for those wishing to access CBT for BDD or to advocate for themselves or their loved ones when navigating services.

Register via: https://bddfoundation.org/webinar-good-cbt-for-bdd/

📅 17th November: 7-8pm GMT

31/10/2025

We’re so excited to share with you the first topic of our Winter Webinar series.

Join us for a session with Dr Bruce Clark, a senior Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and an expert in OCD and BDD, leading the National and Specialist OCD, BDD and Related Disorders Service at The Maudsley Hospital.

Bruce will be exploring the role of medication in treating BDD in young people.
We’ll be covering:
➡️ When medication should be considered in BDD treatment plans
➡️ Commonly prescribed medications and how they work
➡️ Balancing medication alongside CBT treatment
➡️ Managing expectations and monitoring progress in young people

Register now to secure your spot: https://bddfoundation.org/webinar-series-medication-bdd-young-people/

📅 10th November: 7-8pm GMT