The Butterfly Girl

For years, the reflection she saw in the mirror drove her to the edge of despair. She developed eating disorders and she attempted suicide. Now, she has a successful career in the modelling industry. This is her own true story.

Racheal Baughan suffered from the illness BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder), a powerful and destructive condition that causes you to see a completely distorted reflection of yourself: the person in front of the mirror might be extremely good looking, but their state of mind dictates that they see a flawed and deformed image. Despite a loving and caring family, Racheal developed acute anxieties about her appearance and in her early teens took to wearing excessive make-up which, for her, acted like a mask. Then at thirteen she experienced a life-shattering tragedy. Slipping into a deep depression, Racheal began to spend hours alone and became increasingly distressed about the distorted reflection of her face. She began to inhale aerosols, self-harm and eventually developed anorexia and bulimia. Desperate to find out the cause of her daughter's problem, her mother encouraged her to participate in a television discussion show. An expert on the show was the one to identify Racheal's condition as BDD and for Racheal this was to be the turning point of her life.Racheal is now a strong, happy and confident young woman and although a recovery from severe BDD may never be complete, Racheal has truly moved on with her life. In 2004 Racheal's mother entered her in the Miss England contest and when Racheal became a finalist she had accepted the most daunting test of her recovery.This is a compelling book that is heart-rending and inspiring in equal measure and offers hope to anyone battling to overcome similar difficulties. Racheal has recently made a very successful debut as host and compere for the Miss Limo competition and is currently taking part in filming for two television programmes that will increase public awareness of BDD. A full publicity campaign is being planned with media coverage to include newspapers, magazines and television.