Help for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in the UK

The NHS notes BDD can lead to depression, self-harm and thoughts of suicide. If that is happening, please get help now.

The NHS says you might have BDD if you:

• worry a lot about a specific area of your body, particularly your face
• spend a lot of time comparing your looks with other people's
• look at yourself in mirrors a lot, or avoid mirrors altogether
• go to a lot of effort to conceal flaws
• pick at your skin to make it smooth

People of any age can have BDD, but the NHS says it is most common in teenagers and young adults, and it affects men and women. Source: NHS: body dysmorphic disorder (read 10 November 2026).

The NHS suggests seeing a GP, who may treat you or refer you to a mental health specialist. Under-18s may be referred to children and young people's mental health services. Adults in England can also refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies without a GP referral.

On treatment, the NHS says CBT is offered for milder symptoms; CBT or an SSRI antidepressant for moderate symptoms; and both together for more severe symptoms or when other treatment has not worked. Medicine decisions are for you and your doctor. Specialist services such as the National OCD/BDD Service exist for people who need more help.

The NHS says CBT helps you learn what triggers your symptoms and different ways of thinking about and dealing with habits. It usually includes exposure and response prevention (ERP): gradually facing situations that would normally make you think obsessively about your appearance, and finding other ways to deal with the feelings. For children and young people, CBT usually involves family members or carers.

If you see a private therapist, ask whether they have experience of BDD and use CBT with ERP. BABCP accredits CBT therapists; check the CBT Register UK.

The NHS points to the BDD Foundation, which keeps a directory of local and online BDD support groups, and to organisations including Anxiety UK, Mind, OCD Action and OCD-UK.

Whoever you choose, check their register and ask about fees, session length and how you will review progress together. See questions to ask before you book and how much therapy costs. On Therapist Circle, each practitioner's registration is checked when they join, and their profile shows the register and number so you can check it yourself.