About the Author

The BDD Family: Coping with Body Dysmorphic Disorder in a Peer Support Group

Why Write The BDD Family Book?

Writing a book for people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) was Eva Fisher’s goal since recovering from the disorder nearly twenty years ago. Her book, The BDD Family: Coping with Body Dysmorphic Disorder in a Peer Support Group, offers hope and help to individuals struggling with the disorder. Millions of people around the world suffer from this underrecognized and debilitating body image disorder. Significantly less get the treatment they need to recover.

But there is help for people with BDD. Peer support groups offer access to information, advice, and empathy from others who understand. These groups supplement support from family members, friends, partners, and treatment specialists. Eva studied the personal disclosures and social support exchanged in an online BDD public forum for her dissertation research. Many participants viewed the group as a supportive online community where they could share their deepest fears with others who understood their struggles.

The BDD Family contains excerpts from hundreds of group members who posted messages to the BDD forum over the course of one year. Their messages describe in detail the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors individuals with BDD experience every day. Eva’s own recovery story is included, along with contact information for treatment centers, BDD specialists, and organizations that provide BDD resources.

About Eva Fisher, PhD

Eva Fisher, PhD

Eva Fisher, PhD, is a communication faculty member at Colorado State University Global. Eva received her PhD from Colorado State University in 2016. She has presented her research at the National Communication Association Convention and her recovery story at the International OCD Foundation Convention. She facilitates virtual support groups for adults with BDD. Eva is a professional communication consultant and founder of Fear to Courage, LLC. She empowers her clients to overcome their communication challenges and achieve business, career, and personal success. She resides in Colorado with her partner, Doug, and her cat, Misti.

Download Eva’s one-sheet here.