Looking For People Who Suffer From Body Dysmorphic Disorder needing someone not to think I am vain.

[Sharon-Anne]

I know most of us don't like something about our appearance and some may fret about it. But with me with what I see staring back at me in the mirror truly disgusts me it's horrendous. I wear make up to try and conceal the ugliness and wear dark clothing so I don't draw unnecessary attention to myself. I can't tell you enough in how much that I hate, despise the way that I look. So embarrassed and ashamed to be out in public the way that I think about myself causes me a great deal of emotional distress. So stop it? You see I can't no matter how hard I try my thoughts and what I believe are so intrusive, so controlling. I do have those compulsive and repetitive behaviors, when it comes to trying to hide or see if I can improve my flaw/flaws. But no matter how hard I try to make myself look ok! It never sorry I never look ok or reach the point in saying "oh that will do". Can anyone relate somewhat? I know what BDD is, all I need all that I am asking is there anyone here on this site who I can talk to? I have lost friends due to not being able to go outside because I feel exposed and anxiety is at an all time high. My BDD has affected all aspects of my life.

[Hidden]

Hi I am sorry you are suffering from this and it must be awful for you. I don't think there is anyone on here who suffers it as this is a depression site. There must be online support groups - have you tried joining one of those? x

[Photogeek]

Hi there sorry I can't help you as this is a Depression site. There is lots of

Info on NHS website and I enclose another link which you could also try, as

It's a very complicated thing

Body Dysmorphic Disorder - bddfoundation.org‎

Adbddfoundation.org/‎

The BDD Foundation is a charity

Good luck and try and get a specific Forum for help and also see a GP as

There is help out there for everything.

Hannah

[Sharon-Anne]

Thanks but I already have enough knowledge and insight into my condition, was interested in chatting to suffers like myself thats all. The Mental Health professionals here haven't got the experience in helping BDD. As I have tried in seeking help for my condition I am already linked up to the BDD Foundation but haven't found anyone who I can chat to there. Not much support where I am, thats why I thought I come here thought a place like this would have a place for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Cheers.

[Sharon-Anne]

Lots of information but not much help for where I live...

[Hidden]

healthfulchat.org/body-dysm...

Found this link for you. x

[Sharon-Anne in reply to Hidden]

thank You x

[Sharon-Anne in reply to Hidden]

Already been there lol but thank you for taking the time to inform me about the site.

[Hidden]

Hello,

You could try MIND, thy have a section that deals with with BDD.

If you are interested the pages are under your condition. BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER

You could also try the BDD Foundation they seem to have an active site.

BOB

[RachelDraperoxo]

Hiya! My name is Rachel and I know exactly what you are going though. If you need to talk to me please don't hesitate to contact me! I'm here to listen because I can very much relate

[BettyA]

Hi Sharon-Anne, I am sorry about what you are going through...but you truly, genuinely, very much need to talk with a trained counselor/therapist.... If one is not in your immediate vicinity, you STILL somehow need to arrange to be able to get to one even if it is an out of town trip.

Now...what I say to you know may sound 'mean' and PLEASE believe me I do not mean it that way: One of the reasons you are not getting better is because you are holding yourself back because of a "no matter how hard I try...I can't do it..." fixation.

You sound like a delightful person to me!! You are definitely intelligent...all I had to do is read how you wrote (and your spelling is flawless! )...and I know you must have a LOT going for you!!!!...SO... could you please work on trying to get in touch with a therapist??? You deserve to get over this! Sending you love and a hug!

[Sharon-Anne]

What makes people here think that I haven't tried seeking professional help? Sorry lovely people maybe I should have explained to you all that I have attended many Mental Health professionals as I have always seeked help. Please there is always more to someones story/experience than what they put here.

I do not mean that in a condescending way altho it can by interpreted in that manner, not here to cause harm with my words that I use,

still improving on how I word my posts lol.

It was me who pushed and pushed my GP to refer me in getting the help that I needed, after asking for help from the GP I waited 8 months (as I am fully aware that there is a waiting list) 8 months down the line I was wondering what was going on?! 1. I didn't receive a letter from GP informing me that she has made a referral, so that it's self made me wonder what was going on?! 2. No phone call. 3. After waiting 8 months you think that you would have gotten some form of notification. The problem she hadn't I mean my GP hadn't done what she said she would have done, GP didn't refer me nor did she make a note on my file. I have only scratched the surface on the obstacles that I was facing before I managed to see someone, I had to fight to get the help.

[BettyA in reply to Sharon-Anne]

I am so sorry, Sharon-Anne, that you had to go through all that... I just hope things get better for you really soon.

[Em89]

Hi Sharon-Anne, I have had similar experience of seeing myself in the way you've described and believing it's true. This had been the case for about ten years for me but it hadn't been dibilitating until I broke up with my fiancée of 7 years. I then sank deeply into this belief that I was a disgustingly hideous looking woman, it was so scary. I didn't leave the house for weeks and when family would force me too, I was convinced people were starting at me, wanted to hurt me and we're laughing at me. It got so bad that I made several attempts on my life.

I used this site to help me through but also the crisis mental health team would visit me at home and try to do CBT with me, I thought for ages that it wasn't helping at all but gradually I started to see why I was feeling like this and how I could alter bit by bit the way I saw myself. I also had the help of anti -depressants which I still take today even though I am soo much happier and see myself as a beautiful person externally but more importantly internally. I now have a great job, my own apartment and a loving partner as well as a positive outlook on life. I have down days like everyone but I now have the tools from CBT to work through these.

It turns out that what I was suffering from was a form of psychosis through depression that had been untreated for a decade. I am sorry to hear that you have been let down by your GP but what I found is that you really need to stamp your feet to get the help you need and deserve.

I hope this helps and please get in touch if you'd like to chat.

Xxxx