BDD Foundation Circa 2012

This website has been restored and archived for use in Brian Wi's course on Social Awareness in the Age of the Internet. Mr. Wi comes to the university after 10 years as an internet marketer for Public Space, and has written extensively on how the web can be used to educate disadvantaged communities about health issues. If you're wondering why his course outline features Batman images prominently, you won't be surprised to learn that he is a rabid Batman fan. By tradition, he arrives at his first lecture always wearing one of his colorful Batman sweatshirts, and does not discourage students from doing the same if they are so inclined, as he sees qualities in this super hero that he feels are worthy of emulation. Students may download the entire reading list, including the syllabus from his university webpage. Mr. Wi's course is hugely popular and students are encouraged to enroll early to ensure placement.

For a number of years this was the BDD Foundation website. The BDD Foundation aims to increase awareness and understanding of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Content is from the site's 2012 archived pages and other outside sources.

If you have inadvertently arrived at this site while looking for the BDD Foundation, their current website is found at: https://bddfoundation.org/

Welcome to the BDD Foundation ..

The BDD Foundation aims to increase awareness and understanding of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), taking the focus away from current stigmas that can perceive BDD as narcissistic, self-indulgent or purely a result of modern Western ideals. We also aim to dispel the belief of many people affected by BDD, that the disorder cannot be overcome.

What is BDD?

Take a look at the History of BDD (coming soon).

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER (BDD)

· Spending prolonged periods of time feeling trapped in front of the mirror
· Camouflaging a perceived defect with clothing, makeup, hats, hands, or posture
· Avoiding social situations, bright lights, or people seeing you from certain angles in a room
· Seeing yourself as hideous and disgusting
· Seeking surgery, when professionals or those around you think the flaws are non-existent or minimal

WHAT IS BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER (BDD)?

Many people are dissatisfied with some aspect of their appearance. The distinction for someone with BDD is that one, or many, specific flaws or defects in their appearance, become an incessant preoccupation and obsession. For someone with BDD obsessive thoughts and rituals affect them to such a degree that it can have a dramatic and debilitating impact on their lives. The conversation surrounding BDD is steeped in mysticism. Looked at objectively however, BDD can be explained simply. The term 'disorder' can best be described as disordered thinking. A disordered way of thinking that creates an irrational belief, i.e. that they are ugly or disgusting. This belief is so strong for a person with BDD that the image they see (of their face for example) is distorted in the mirror.

BDD & Cosmetic Surgery

A large proportion of people with BDD may end up seeking cosmetic surgery or dermatological treatment, fuelling perceptions that BDD is in some way vain or narcissistic. People with BDD believe themselves to be ugly, disgusting or defective. Someone with a diagnosis of BDD would never be someone who enjoys long periods indulging themselves in front of the mirror. They can often believe their 'defects' are so obnoxious and real that they need to seek surgery. They believe what they see in the mirror is true and that others feel disgusted by them in the same way that they do. People may see imagined spots or acne, or a nose that is bulbous, unsymmetrical and disproportionate to their face . The anxiety can be too hard to bear and believing what they see in the mirror can make cosmetic surgery seem the only course of action(see our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) pages).

It is a common misconception that the way someone with BDD perceives their physical features, is the cause of their anxiety and negative beliefs. On the contrary, it is the anxiety and negative beliefs someone holds about themselves, that provokes the person's obsession with their physical features. The way a person with BDD sees the way they look is distorted. It is therefore futile to try to convince someone with BDD that they do not need surgery because they are not ugly or 'defective'. It is therefore more useful to engage the person with BDD in a conversation about being unwell and that surgery could be irresponsible at this time, rather than discussing their symptoms i.e. the way they think they look.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

This disorder, formerly referred to as dysmorphophobia, tends to occur in young adults equally in either gender. The patient becomes pre-occupied with a non-existent or minimal cosmetic defect (nose, cleft chin, blemish, breast size) and persistently seeks medical attention to fix it surgically.

The BDD Foundation (UK) - Aims to increase awareness and understanding of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), taking the focus away from current
stigmas that can perceive BDD as narcissistic, self-indulgent or purely a result of modern Western ideals. We also aim to dispel the belief of many people affected by BDD, that the disorder cannot be overcome.

Signs, Symptoms & Safety Behaviours

Although BDD is not exactly the same as OCD, there are similarities.
For instance, a person with BDD may feel that they have to repeat
certain acts. There are many ways to determine if you may have BDD, or if you are already dealing with it. Below are some examples:

·	Feeling hideous and disgusting
·	Frequently checking your appearance and spending long periods looking in the mirror at the specific body part and feeling trapped. This also includes using any reflective surfaces to check your image
·	Frequently comparing the appearance of the perceived defect with that of other peoples
·	Feeling anxious and self-conscious around other people because of the perceived defect
·	Avoiding social situations, bright lights, or people seeing you from certain angles in a room
·	Camouflaging the perceived defect with clothing, makeup, hats, hands, or posture
·	Excessive grooming (for example, combing hair, shaving, removing or cutting hair, applying makeup to conceal or detract attention)
·	Seeking surgery, dermatological treatment, or other medical treatments when professionals or those around you think that the 'flaws' are non-existent or minimal, or that the treatment sought is not necessary
·	Seeking reassurance about the flaw or attempting to convince others of its ugliness
·	Avoiding mirrors
·	Frequently touching the perceived defect
·	Frequently measuring the disliked body part
·	Picking one's skin
·	Excessively reading about the body part perceived as defective
·	Worrying endlessly that their skin is pale, their hair is too curly, or their nose is too long

GP Awareness

People who can possibly be at higher risk of BDD may exhibit symptoms of:

·	Alcohol or substance misuse
·	An eating disorder
·	Depression
·	OCD
·	Social phobia
·	With mild or non existent disfigurements/blemishes seeking cosmetic surgery or attending dermatology clinics

6 questions all GPs should be asking:

·	Do you worry a lot about the way you look and wish you could think about it less?
·	What specific concerns do you have about your appearance?
·	On a typical day, how many hours a day is it on your mind? (Consider over 1 hour excessive)
·	What effect does it have on your life?
·	Does it make it hard to do your work or be with your friends?
·	If you have BDD you should also be asked if you have thoughts about suicide

Medical Treatments for Children & Young People
(See also 'What steps should I take to get help?' CBT and Complementary Therapies and Foods)

The same treatment is used to treat young people with BDD as with adults.

If you are considered to be a child or young person by law you would usually expect to have a say in the treatment you feel is best for you. If you are over 16 you can give your own consent regarding your treatments. If you are under 16 and you fully understand all the information given to you, you may also be able to give your own consent. However parents or carers may also need to agree to your treatment plan especially where medication is concerned. Sometimes parents and healthcare professionals will think that you can benefit from a treatment that you don't particularly want and may go against your decision if they think this is best for you in the long term.

Medication

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The medication advice below is not a substitute for professional medical advice and care. Medical information is provided for information/reference purposes only. If you have specific needs please see a professional health care provider.
Every reasonable effort is taken to ensure accurate information; however, we cannot guarantee completeness or timeliness. Information is changed or updated at will.
The BDD Foundation assumes no responsibility for outcomes resulting from the use of information contained on this website, or from information obtained from linked sites from this website. The BDD Foundation expressly disclaims (denies or renounces) all liability for injury or damages arising out of use, reference to, reliance on, or performance of such information.

It is recommended that you should only be offered medicines after you have seen a psychiatrist (a doctor who is an expert in mental health problems such as BDD). You should usually be having CBT while taking medicine.

Research has shown that the most effective medication used to treat BDD are Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Medications (SSRIs) These medications are also used to treat depression, and other anxiety conditions. SSRIs work by increasing activity in the brain and increasing the amount of certain chemicals that affect mood (such as Serotonin).

Other Related Disorders

Researchers believe that BDD is closely related to a variety of other disorders which include
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Compulsive Skin Picking, and Trichotillomania.

The common factor in all of these conditions is that they involve, to some degree, the presence of repetitive thoughts or behaviours. All of these disorders often go unrecognised and undiagnosed by GPs because the symptoms mimic other disorders such as
social phobia, agoraphobia, panic disorder and other secondary conditions from the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) range, all of which can sometimes lead to depression.

There are also a number of other disorders which often affect people with BDD. These conditions can run alongside the BDD. These include Depression, Panic Attacks and Self-Harm.

We Need YOU!

The BDD Foundation is looking to expand and re-develop. In order to do this we need volunteers, we need your help! Would you be interested in joining an exciting, new Foundation that aims to spread the word about BDD? To help others and make a genuine difference in the lives of sufferers and carers of this awful illness?

More Background On TheBDDFoundation.com

TheBDDFoundation.com represents an earlier, archived era of what is now the leading UK-based charity dedicated solely to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Although the domain today largely serves as a historical snapshot of a previous version of the organisation’s online presence, its content provides a window into the development, goals, and outreach of one of the most important advocacy groups in the field of body-image–related mental health. This article offers a fully updated, fully contextualised overview of the website and the charity it once supported: the BDD Foundation. It incorporates the legacy material preserved on TheBDDFoundation.com, expands on the organisation’s modern identity, and explores its broader cultural and social relevance.

The result is a complete picture of what TheBDDFoundation.com represented, what it taught visitors, how it fit into the foundation’s evolving mission, and why the BDD Foundation remains vital to mental-health advocacy today.

Origins and Ownership of the BDD Foundation

The BDD Foundation originally began as a grassroots educational effort created to provide accurate, stigma-reducing information about Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Before it was a registered charity, the founders sought to address a major gap in public understanding: many people suffering from BDD had no name for their symptoms, and the general population often mistook the disorder for vanity, narcissism, or superficial self-obsession. This misunderstanding deeply harmed sufferers, delayed diagnoses, and increased social isolation.

The early website that existed at TheBDDFoundation.com captured this first phase. It emphasized public education, personal stories, information on symptoms, and guidance on seeking treatment. While the URL itself no longer serves as the charity’s active headquarters, it preserves the foundation’s initial goal: raising awareness and reducing stigma.

Later, the organisation formalised its structure, registered as a UK charity, and expanded its mission. The site moved to a new address, and TheBDDFoundation.com eventually became an archived window into the foundation’s earlier message. Although the modern foundation is now a well-established nonprofit, the core values that appear on the archived site — compassion, education, advocacy, and visibility — remain central to its identity.

Location and Scope of the Organisation

The BDD Foundation is headquartered in the United Kingdom but serves people from all over the world through its digital platform. Its reach is not limited to one region or demographic; its content and support services have been accessed by hundreds of thousands of individuals globally, including sufferers, clinicians, educators, and caregivers.

Because the disorder often begins in adolescence, the foundation’s resources have disproportionate influence in contexts such as:

schools and youth programmes
primary care and general medical practices
mental-health clinics
family and community support systems
cosmetic and dermatological settings

TheBDDFoundation.com, in its active years, functioned as the primary educational entry point for many international visitors searching for answers about symptoms they did not yet understand.

Aims and Goals of the Organisation

The mission of the BDD Foundation can be understood through several clear pillars, all of which were visible in the content preserved on TheBDDFoundation.com:

1. Increasing Awareness of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

The foundation directly challenges the persistent misconceptions around BDD. Many people incorrectly assume the disorder stems from superficial concerns; the foundation instead frames BDD as a serious anxiety-driven condition that distorts self-perception in debilitating ways.

The archived site’s explanations — including lists of symptoms such as mirror-checking, camouflaging, avoidance, repetitive grooming, and obsessive comparison — remain among the most accessible early resources written about BDD.

2. Supporting Individuals and Families

TheBDDFoundation.com emphasised support not only for sufferers but also for parents, siblings, romantic partners, and friends who struggle to understand what BDD looks like in daily life. The foundation continues to produce educational guides, checklists, and questions for GPs to use during evaluations.

3. Challenging the Stigma and Mysticism Surrounding BDD

One of the site’s distinctive qualities was its insistence that BDD is not the product of vanity or indulgence. Instead, it highlighted the disorder as a form of “disordered thinking,” where anxiety and distorted beliefs override objective reality.

4. Encouraging Professional Treatment and Responsible Medical Care

TheBDDFoundation.com discussed how people with BDD may seek cosmetic surgery, even when professionals see no defect. The foundation has long advocated for responsible surgical screening and mental-health referral pathways so that unnecessary or harmful procedures can be avoided.

5. Promoting Research and Evidence-Based Treatment

A secondary but growing goal of the organisation has been to support research into better treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy adapted for BDD, and to disseminate findings in a digestible public format.

What TheBDDFoundation.com Offered Visitors

Although the website is now an archival reference, its contents illustrate the early emphasis of the BDD Foundation. The site offered:

Clear, Detailed Explanations of BDD

The archived pages provided some of the most accessible foundational descriptions of BDD available online at the time. Visitors could read about:

the difference between dissatisfaction with appearance and clinical BDD
how distorted self-perception operates
the role of negative beliefs and anxiety
why reassurance cannot change a distorted self-image

Signs, Symptoms, and Safety Behaviours

The site listed common behaviours associated with BDD, such as:

repetitive mirror-checking
avoiding mirrors entirely
camouflaging with makeup or clothing
measuring body parts
comparing oneself to others
excessive grooming
skin picking
avoidance of social situations or certain lighting
These lists helped countless individuals recognise that they were experiencing more than natural insecurity.

Information for General Practitioners

Notably, the website included guidance intended for primary-care doctors. It suggested six key questions clinicians should ask to screen for BDD and offered indicators such as depression, OCD-like symptoms, and avoidance behaviours.

Education on Treatment Options

TheBDDFoundation.com devoted significant space to explaining the role of SSRIs, CBT, and therapeutic interventions. It also included disclaimers emphasizing that medication information was not a substitute for professional care — an example of the ethical tone the foundation followed.

Resources for Children and Young People

A unique section explained how treatment differs for minors, the role of parental consent, and how professionals assess competency and long-term interests. This reflected the organisation’s early recognition of adolescence as a high-risk developmental stage for the disorder.

Volunteer Opportunities and Community Building

The website not only educated but also encouraged involvement, stating that the foundation was expanding and needed volunteers to spread awareness and support.

The Audience of TheBDDFoundation.com

The original site attracted a diverse readership:

Sufferers Seeking Understanding

Visitors often arrived searching for reasons behind their distress. The site’s descriptions of symptoms, self-perception distortion, and anxiety-driven thoughts helped many individuals identify a condition that had silently shaped their lives.

Family Members and Friends

Many relatives found explanations of BDD behaviours highly valuable for reducing frustration or confusion about loved ones’ struggles.

Clinicians and Medical Professionals

General practitioners, therapists, and dermatologists used early online resources to better identify BDD in patients who might otherwise fall through diagnostic cracks.

Academics, Educators, and Researchers

TheBDDFoundation.com was cited in university courses, including the one mentioned in the archived text—an example of how the site’s educational clarity contributed to academic discourse.

Cosmetic and Dermatological Practitioners

Surgeons and dermatologists often interact with undiagnosed BDD patients. The site spoke directly to the responsibility of healthcare providers to recognize when a patient’s request for treatment stems from a psychological condition rather than a physical defect.

Cultural and Social Significance

Although TheBDDFoundation.com was modest in scope compared to the modern foundation’s platform, it played an important role in shaping how BDD is understood culturally.

1. Reduction of Stigma

The early messaging emphasised that BDD is not superficial but is instead a severe mental-health condition. This challenged long-standing stereotypes and reshaped public discourse.

2. Awareness of the Cosmetic-Surgery Intersection

The site illuminated the link between BDD and elective procedures. It also emphasized why cosmetic surgery typically does not improve the disorder and can sometimes worsen symptoms.

3. Influence on Mental-Health Education

TheBDDFoundation.com was used as a teaching tool, showing how online health communication can combat misinformation and promote empathy.

4. Supporting Adolescents During a Vulnerable Era

Because BDD often begins in teenage years, early educational websites like this one laid important groundwork for recognising symptoms before adulthood.

5. Normalising Discussion of Appearance Anxiety

The website helped people understand that intense preoccupation with appearance is not rare — and, more importantly, it is treatable.

Historical Context and Evolution of the Website

Though the original domain is now archived, its content reflects three eras of the organisation:

Early Era: Awareness Building

During this stage, the foundation focused on basic explanations, symptom lists, and public-facing education.

Transitional Era: Clinical Engagement

The next stage introduced GP support, diagnostic questions, and deeper content addressing related disorders like OCD, compulsive skin picking, and trichotillomania.

Modern Era: Comprehensive Support and Advocacy

Today the organisation has grown into a robust charity offering:

online support groups
podcasts and webinars
fundraising events
membership networks
youth-specific materials
professional training resources
community storytelling features
While the modern foundation now operates with expanded infrastructure, the original educational spirit preserved at TheBDDFoundation.com remains visible in these enhanced services.

Examples of Impact and Real-World Relevance

In Clinical Settings

GPs who read the foundation’s questions and symptom breakdowns may identify BDD earlier. Early diagnosis prevents unnecessary dermatological or surgical procedures and promotes appropriate therapy.

In Schools and Universities

Educators use BDD resources to identify distressed teens, guide them toward mental-health support, and understand behavioural indicators.

In Families

Parents often reach the archived site while searching anxiously about a child’s behavior — mirror avoidance, constant grooming, fears of being seen from certain angles. Recognising these signs early changes lives.

In Cosmetic Practices

Ethical surgeons use BDD criteria to screen out patients at risk, redirecting them to psychological support and avoiding harmful outcomes.

Lasting Value of TheBDDFoundation.com

Even though it now functions largely as an archived educational resource, TheBDDFoundation.com remains important for several reasons:

It preserves early advocacy work that shaped public understanding.
It demonstrates how grassroots mental-health education can grow into a prominent charity.
It continues to provide clear symptom descriptions for people who may not know where else to turn.
It showcases the foundation’s early commitment to accuracy, compassion, and empowerment.

For anyone researching the history of BDD awareness efforts, the evolution of online mental-health communication, or the beginnings of specialised charities, this archived site remains a valuable reference.

TheBDDFoundation.com stands as a preserved chapter in the history of an organisation that has become one of the most trusted advocates for people affected by Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Although the charity’s modern activities now occupy a different website and a broader scope, the archived material reflects the foundation’s original values: educating the public, combating stigma, and supporting those whose lives are disrupted by distorted self-image and compulsive appearance-related anxiety.

From early symptom lists and treatment explanations to GP guidance and youth resources, the site helped countless individuals take the first step toward understanding a deeply misunderstood condition. Its legacy continues through the modern foundation, whose ongoing mission remains rooted in the principles first expressed on this early platform.

TheBDDFoundation.com