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Name: | Danny Bowman |
Age: | 18 |
Year of the Fix: | 2013 |
Location: | Alnwick, Northumberland |
Campaign: | To raise awareness about body dysmorphic disorder |
I was diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) a few years ago and realised there was a lack support or free services out there for people to get help.
The thing about the condition is people can go as far as feeling like an alien. They feel that others are literally going to pass them in the street and scream at them.
You find faults with your appearance even though there may not be an obvious flaw.
When I was 15, I was told by a modelling agency that I was too fat and this caused me to lose confidence and I became unhappy with my appearance.
I was so preoccupied to the point I was spending ten hours a day in front of the mirror and used to think I could never have a girlfriend or any friends. I was exercising and purging to try to change the way I looked.
With Fixers, I made a short film called ‘Perfection is Impossible’ based on my personal experience of BDD to educate young people and their parents about the condition, as well as reach a wider audience of professionals.
Shortly after launching my Fixers film, my campaign went viral worldwide, garnering media attention and interview requests from across the globe. Covered internationally by hundreds of publications and news sites, it was reported in countries as far-flung as Russia, Bolivia, Indonesia, China, Lebanon and Pakistan.
In addition to raising awareness, my Fix has also helped many others to recognise and get help for this little-known and often misunderstood condition.
On a personal level, the campaign was extremely helpful in my recovery. It gave me something to focus on. Knowing that I was helping other people in the process is a brilliant feeling.
Here is a list of Fixers helping me with my Fix:
Alex Crawley
Courtney Atkinson
Laura Tough
Laura Woods
Peter Woods
Olivia Lightfoot-Jaques
Julie Seed, Department of Psychology, Northumbria University
Senior Lecturer Julie Seed supported my Fixers campaign by providing an explanation of BDD in an interview for my ITV News broadcast story.
Minnie Iris is a Trustee at the organisation and supported my project by providing an interview for the ITV News broadcast.
August 2014
I was flown all the way to New York by the American programme ABC News to be interviewed on their flagship show 20/20. You can read the full article by clicking here or click on the image below to watch the full video.
An 18-year-old girl from the Midlands also got in touch to say that seeing my story on ITV's This Morning changed her life. She said that having never heard of BDD before, she has since been diagnosed with the condition and is now on the road to recovery, adding:
'If it wasn't for Danny I think I would still be in the same state I used to be, if not worse. He still inspires me every day and I can't thank him enough.'
June 2014
Fixers CEO Margo Horsley and I were invited to speak on Sky News about the benefits of being a Fixer, and how my campaign has helped me.
I showed my support for Fixers by encouraging others to vote for them as the UK's 'Best Charity' in the National Lottery Awards - and had my story featured in the Hartlepool Mail, Northumberland Gazette and the Evening Chronicle.
Also during this month, I wrote a blog entry for the Huffington Post about government support for mental health services.
May 2014
Since working with Fixers, my campaign has gone international, reaching countries like America, Indonesia, China, Norway, Russia, Vietnam and many more. Click here to read the story about my coverage or click on the links below to read some articles from the different news outlets.
UK
Collective Evolution
USA
Australia
International Business Times
March 2014
I was invited to speak on ITV's Daybreak about body dysmorphic disorder (click the image below to watch). I was asked to specifically discuss one the symptoms of my condition which involved taking hundreds of selfies daily. My story was also featured in the Sunday Mirror.
February 2014
I wrote about my story for the men get eating disorders too! blog. Click the link to read the full post.
January 2014
I was invited to speak about my story on ITV's This Morning. Click here to see the full interview.
The response to my televised interview has been fantastic. You can read some of the Twitter and Facebook comments I received below:
'Well done Danny! I was diagnosed a year ago, and even with therapy and medication I am no where near as brave as you.'
'Doing a brilliant job talking about mental health and BDD. Huge well done on tackling this tough topic.'
'I just happened to be home today and your post encouraged me to turn on the telly. What a lovely young man, radiant. I'm so glad he's found a way through his darkness.'
'Well done Danny for highlighting this!'
December 2013
An article about my story and Fixers project was featured in The Telegraph! Click on the image below to read the article:
November 2013
Following my broadcast piece on ITV and my film screening, I have received loads of positive feedback about my campaign. You can read some of this feedback below.
Adam Hopkinson:
'Just seen you guys on Tyne Tees News and feel grateful that someone has finally wanted to do something about this!'
Wayne Daley:
'Very informative event and now I understand that the illness Body Dysmorphic Disorder is real.'
Molly Kennedy:
'A really impressive event for so many reasons and I loved how honest and personal it was.'
Penny Bowman:
'BDD is real. Now I feel I can spread that word to friends and family.'
Macauley Collinson
Sam Womack
Chelsie Brown
Mary-Anne White and Lucy Wills
Sam Barakat
Jack H
'Ben'
Fixers
Me and my friends want young people to know that calories aren't the enemy!
Alexandra Garrick
Lauren Taylor
Timothy Cranfield
Becky
Jo Quinn
Meghann
Becky Thorn
Tilly and Bella
Shano
Shak & Natasha
Fern Lulham