From “selfie addiction” to policy reform: Danny Bowman shares his journey through the ‘prison’ of body dysmorphia

Edge Hill lecturer Danny Bowman has shared his lived experience of body dysmorphia with the hope of making it easier for others to do the same.

Danny, who is also a PhD researcher and the Director of Strategy and Research at the Conservative Mental Health Group spoke to Edge Ahead hosts, popular regional podcaster Gareth Roberts and former Premier League goalkeeper and Edge Hill Honorary Doctor Chris Kirkland, to discuss his journey from a life-threatening struggle with body image to becoming a leading voice in national mental health policy.

IIn the latest instalment of the podcast's current series, 'What's in Your Head?' Danny Bowman shares a candid account of his battle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a condition that, at its height, saw him taking up to 200 selfies a day and becoming entirely housebound.

He describes how his focus shifted drastically at age 14 after moving to a new school. What began as a desire to "fit in" escalated into a debilitating obsession with his appearance.

This struggle eventually led to a crisis point and a suicide attempt. Danny credits his recovery to the non-judgmental support of his family and a determination to ensure other young people don't reach that same "moment of hopelessness".

Now a prominent mental health campaigner, Danny uses the podcast to call for stricter regulation of social media. He critiques the "strive for perfection" fuelled by filters and harmful algorithms.

"We need to regulate social media companies," Danny comments, noting that while the government has taken steps with the Online Safety Act, a significant safety gap remains for children seeing "perfect lives and perfect bodies" that do not reflect reality.

The conversation also highlights the vital research being conducted at Edge Hill University, including the £2.5 million Arts4Us project. This initiative uses creative interventions, such as drama, music and painting to support the mental health of children aged 9 to 13, reframing mental health as something that can be addressed through positive, communal activity.

Danny's own PhD research at the University of Liverpool explores how politicians understand and communicate mental health policy. He emphasises that mental health is a "wicked problem" that impacts every area of government, from housing and education to the economy.

Ending on a note of resilience, Danny and co-host Chris Kirkland discuss the myth that men are unwilling to speak about their struggles. Danny argues that men are often waiting for a "safe avenue" to open. His advice to anyone currently struggling? "Recognise that social media is not reality and that validation tends to come from within… have that open conversation".

Episodes of Edge Ahead, featuring expert guests and inspirational stories, are available to stream on Spotify and YouTube now. Whether you're on campus or tuning in from afar, Edge Hill invites everyone to join the conversation.

Edge Hill University offers a dedicated student support service, providing mental health and wellbeing advice, as well as other help and support.

February 5, 2026