I’m Sam (she/her) founder of Beyond BDD and parent to a teen who has spent the last 6 years battling Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Over the past 6 years, myself and my husband have struggled with getting him the right support and therapy, and I encounter many similar stories from other parents, carers and professionals about the lack of awareness and support for our children and their caregivers with this condition.

“As parents, we’ve witnessed the darkest sides of Body Dysmorphic Disorder as it slowly takes hold over several years in a young and otherwise confident child. “

We did eventually find an excellent clinician under CAMHS who my son had weekly therapy with for nearly a year and a half, working at my son’s pace and taking into account his specific needs. Although he’s no longer in therapy the struggle is still there and as a family we are all effected.

In a school of 1500 students, my son was the only child officially diagnosed with this condition. When we know that 1 in 50 people experience BDD, which generally starts in the early teenage years, we can only assume that many children are suffering in secret or potentially being misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression or agoraphobia and not getting the specific support they need.

We also know that some children suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder are neurodivergent. The recommendations of CBT with ERP through the NHS need to be very carefully and specifically tailored to the child,