Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

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Mental Health
/ Eating Disorders Support Group

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

deleted_user
deleted_user
I think anyone that suffers with an eating disorder must have this. I've been doing alot of research on it and it's fits me to a "T". My therapist mentioned it to me and WOW it is something else. I HATE my body, always have always will. When I was at the peak of my bulima/anorexia I was down to a size 7 which at almost 5'8" was very thin but I ALWAYS felt fat. I wanted to be in a 5. Well, now I'm older and have put weight on after a baby and turning 30 but it's getting worse. I can't stand the way I feel in my own skin. I'm a cyclist and average 250+ miles a week watch what I eat and still hate the way I look. I'm in a size 12 and it's killing me. I know I should be greatful for my health and I could have alot worse things but isn't it such a HORRIBLE thing to look in the mirror everyday and HATE what you see?
Slimpics
Slimpics
I'm pretty sure that I have BDD in addition to the normal body image distortions caused by my EDs. People always tell me I'm beautiful (as I'm sure they tell you that too,) but I just don't see what they see. When I look in the mirror, my face seems distorted somehow, almost deformed, which in my rational eye I KNOW is not the case! I absolutely despise certain facial features of mine, and I avoid going anywhere it I don't feel I've "disguised" them well enough.

If you're just worried about the shape of your body, and no other physical features, then I think it's a body image thing for you and probably not BDD. Does that make any sense?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Oh it's not just my body it's the whole package. Yes, I know what you mean about people saying you are attractive and you think, they are just saying that to be kind. Somedays I just don't want to leave the house because of how I feel but with a 22 month old it's not an option. So, I just go but always feel like people are looking at me in disgust. I know that sounds crazy and my hubby tell me that it is but that is just how I feel. Crazy??
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I was inpatient and we had one girl who had BDD. I think the difference is that with ED your whole body just looks too fat, but with BDD it's just one body part or feature that you see totally distorted. I would google it.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Mt daughter is anorexic and recently was diagnosed with body dysmorphia as she refuses to take a bath as she cannot look at herself naked, is this a common symptom with anorexia too?
deleted_user
deleted_user
fane, i think your daughter's unwillingness to look at herself is just the anorexia talking because it's her body as a whole which is distressing her, not just one specific thing. i have this too when i can't bear to look in a mirror because i'm afraid of what i'll see and i'll avoid letting other people see me, but i wouldn't say this meant i had bdd. on the other hand i HATE my stomach and always have and would say that i have bdd when it comes to this, but i'm lucky it's extremely mild.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thanks for confirming this, my worry is its been nearly a year and now she is developing sore glands which may become infected, she refuses to bathe still and wont see the GP
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