ISSUES
: Body Confidence
Chapter 1: Body Image
14
is displaying multiple signs, it’s
probably worth looking into more
closely (see What to do if you think
your child may have BDD, below).
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Highly self-conscious.
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Checking appearance in a
mirror or reflective surface
obsessively.
Ö
Distracted – struggling to
concentrate on anything other
than their appearance.
Ö
Increased self-isolation – not
wanting to leave the house or
go out and see friends.
Ö
Continually seeking reassurance
about their appearance.
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Picking at their skin to make it
perfect.
Ö
Comparing
themselves
with other people, including
celebrities in magazines or
online.
Ö
Avoiding certain situations such
as having their photograph
taken, close-up interactions
or being under bright lights/
surrounded by lots of mirrors.
Ö
Depressive
thoughts
and
comments in relation to body
image.
Research and findings on
the condition
At the moment, there isn’t enough
information on BDD. Some
research has shown, however, that
it’s more common in people with a
family history of BDD, suggesting
a possible genetic link. Similarly,
a recent study showed that 80%
of anorexics have family members
who have also suffered from the
disorder. BDD has also been linked
to eating disorders. Unlike many
eating disorders, though, BDD
affects men and women equally.
What to do if you think your
child may have BDD
Like many mental health conditions,
BDD can sometimes come with
a stigma attached, but people
suffering from this isolating
condition need help. The usual
line of treatment is Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy (CBT), but
BODY, a charity focusing on
helping those with BDD and other
body image-related mental health
problems, offers a variety of other
therapies that can help too:
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Support groups for loved ones
and carers.
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Self-help classes.
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One-on-one therapy.
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Creative expressive therapy
workshops.
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Occupational therapy.
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Integrative psychotherapy.
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The BODY Buddy national be-
friending system.
If you think your child might have
BDD, you should talk to them first.
Tell them that you love them and are
worried about them, and try to find
out if there’s something else that
could be contributing to the issues
you’ve noticed. It’s important that
you book an appointment with your
GP. They’ll be able to refer you onto
a specialist who will be able to help
your child.
Online resources to help
people with BDD
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BODY:
bodycharity.co.uk/body-
dysmorphic-disorder-bdd
Ö
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Foundation:
http://
bddfoundation.org/
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OCD UK’s section on BDD:
Ö
Books written by professionals
on the condition:
•
org/resources/books-by-
professionals/
Reference
1.
Read full YMCA report here:
/
wp-content/uploads/2016/02/
World-of-Good-report-Central-
YMCA.pdf
Ö
The above information is reprinted
with kind permission from Parent
Zone and CEOP. Please visit
for further
information.
© Parent Zone and CEOP 2016
