Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
Last night, I went to a friend's gathering. When I cam home and saw pictures of myself on facebook, I found things wrong with them. I could not stop obsessing about how I styled my outfit wrong and how I had put so much effort into it only for it to look like it was overkill. Then, I found myself having trouble sleeping and only slept a few hours. I began to obsess about all the ways I need to correct the outfit and what I need to do for it to look perfect--like buy new shoes, a new dress, etc. until I can achieve the look I am going after. The thing is, I hardly ever go out and when I finally do, it is very excting for me to dress up. It is not so great when I find things wrong with what I wore, however.
I know this sounds really silly and not even serious at all. Maybe it is not, but the point is that I beat myself up and allowed myself to suffer over it. Most obessions don't really make sense, but people still suffer over them. and many obsessions are just downright silly.
I know I sound shallow and vain, but there is a lot more to me. I wish I could hold onto this when I begin to obsess about my appearance and make it so much more important than it is.
I know this sounds really silly and not even serious at all. Maybe it is not, but the point is that I beat myself up and allowed myself to suffer over it. Most obessions don't really make sense, but people still suffer over them. and many obsessions are just downright silly.
I know I sound shallow and vain, but there is a lot more to me. I wish I could hold onto this when I begin to obsess about my appearance and make it so much more important than it is.
miller23
I know where your coming from. It doesn't mean your vain you just really want to look nice when you go out. The difference is though is we obsess about it and want to achieve perfection therefore when we find "faults" as such we get very distressed/upset until we feel we can fix them. I spent years feeling like I constantly had to improve my look wither it be with the outfit, hair styling, skin ( tan no spots or blemishes etc ) Try not to worry to much about it cause when your worrying you are not enjoying the moment.
gJerry
We will always look at ourselves in the mirror of perfection. If there is one thing we must know, is that we're not perfect. Nobody is. We must just be our self. If people don't like what they see, then it's their problem. I can't do anything about it, because I can't control other people's reactions. Nobody can. Miller is right, we must enjoy the moment and we must concentrate on what makes us happy. It's not our outside shell that count's it's the heart that beats inside. J
abby80
i could get never get my ex to understand i wasn't being superficial when i obsessed over my hair (which is wavy/curly and dries differently every time i wash it). it wasn't because i cared what i look like, but certain pieces would wave into my face, or seperate from the rest of my hair. it drives me crazy. i've even driven off the road obsessing over my hair in the rearview mirror. it's not vanity, it's ocd and there IS a difference.
des10ed2b
oh trust me. i suffer from BDD as well as OCD. my appearance is a nightmare for me. i obsess over it in some way or another constantly. i am not exaggerating at all.
jupiterjazz
Thanks, guys, for understanding. This is something that sort of ebs and flows for me. There was a long period of time when I didn't care as much, but more recently I have. Maybe this is because I am getting older and I don't like seeing myself this way.
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