BDD Support Group Guidelines

Recovery from BDD Group Guidelines

The Skype support group is facilitated by Eva Fisher, PhD – this means that it will be run by a person with lived experience of BDD who has recovered from the disorder.

The group does not provide therapy in the meetings.  If you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis, the group may not be suitable to you.  Information about available crisis services can be found here: Suicide Prevention Resources

The support group is open to adults aged 18 or over.

The group is designed to provide confidential and non-judgmental peer support, where people who are struggling with body dysmorphic disorder can talk openly, connect and feel heard.

We ask that all participants follow these guidelines. We are here to create a safe space for people to talk about their struggles and to seek/provide support to others.

Act with integrity and be supportive:

• Please respect each other’s confidentiality.
• Do not record any part of the session.
• Do not talk about what happened in other meetings.
• If you have children or others who are not participating nearby, limit their exposure to the meeting and wear headphones.
• Avoid driving, use of public transport, coffee shops or other public spaces during the meeting to maintain a confidential space for everyone.

Let everyone have a voice:

• Please respect one another by giving everybody the chance to contribute without interruption and by not dominating or disrupting the conversation.
• Raise your hand using the Skype reactions or unmute your microphone if you wish to speak. The host will call on you by name.
• When talking, please speak from your own experience.

Be kind to yourself and each other:

• This is not a therapy group and no one should feel under pressure to say anything. You can join and just listen if that is what helps you.
• We hope that in hearing other’s experiences you will feel encouraged to share your own.
• Whether you would like to speak or not, please treat each other in a supportive and considerate way.
• We welcome people from all backgrounds and points of view.
• We have no religious, political or commercial affiliations and ask that participants refrain from promoting any that they might have.

Be present:

• Please note that the chat may be used to communicate with and respond to other members during the group sessions.
• Make sure you are in a safe, quiet and confidential area.
• Download the Skype app and get familiar with the app’s features before joining the meeting, if possible.
• Join the meeting using your first name. People who join as “Guest User” will not be called upon to participate.

Use of language:

• We understand that with BDD experiences of suicidality are common, however, please refrain from detailed discussions about past suicide attempts as this will be distressing for other participants.
• We ask that you do not reassure participants about their physical appearance as evidence shows this is not helpful for people with BDD.
• Often individuals with BDD will consider or actively seek cosmetic treatments. Please be mindful about how you discuss this in the group.  Please do not encourage other members to get plastic surgery or other cosmetic procedures.
• Try to refrain from using bad language/swearing.
• There may be periods of silence and some people enjoy these, some don’t; both are okay.