2% of the population suffer from Body Dysmorphic disorder. This week’s guest, Denise, hated her nose so much that she eventually had surgery to alter it. Following the surgery, her mental health deteriorated and she was sectioned and diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. BDD is characterised by someone having a preoccupation with perceived flaws in their physical appearance, which are unnoticeable to others. People don’t want to leave the house, or see other people at all. It took 15 years for Denise to be diagnosed! In this conversation she tells us about her experience of living with BDD and the impact on her life, how her stay in a psychiatric ward helped her to change her life and her strong belief that our attitudes and education about mental health need to drastically change. What could improved mental health services look like? Denise draws on her experience of the systems currently in place to explore some ideas with Annie.

Denise volunteered to share her story through the charity Mind. Huge thanks to both Mind and Denise. 

Denise discusses how philosophy and stoicism have helped her. You can find out more about stoicism here: https://dailystoic.com/what-is-stoicism-a-definition-3-stoic-exercises-to-get-you-started/

Warning: This episode discusses mental illness including references to suicide and depression. 

Should you be affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, In the UK, you can contact Mind on 0300 123 3393 or head to mind.org.uk. The Samaritans can also be contacted 24/7 on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Hotlines in other countries can be found here: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

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