Reflections on Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Stories of Courage, Determination and Hope

With a Foreword by Professor Katharine Phillips and an Introduction by Professor David Veale and Doctor Rob Willson. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterised by a preoccupation with a perceived defect, or defects, in one’s appearance. These ‘flaws’ are either unnoticeable to the outside eye or seen as nothing more than a normal physical variation. To the person with BDD however, the abhorred aspects of their appearance cause significant shame and distress. Some hide away and become housebound, sometimes for many years. BDD affects males and females almost equally and has one of the highest suicide rates of any mental illness. Despite the extreme suffering experienced by people with BDD, it is possible to learn to cope with and even completely move beyond it. The stories in this volume powerfully attest to this. Gathered here are thirty-six lived experiences of people with BDD and their loved ones. They are stories of tremendous bravery, immeasurable determination and incredible hope.