Bodydismorphic disorder

[ktg17]

Hi all, just looking for advice on dealing with bodydismorphic disorder that is made worse by anxiety and depression. I overcam bulimia a few years ago (yay!) but I still struggle hard with feeling confident in myself and my body. When people tell me I’m beautiful I think they’re lying. Right now I’m stuck in a cycle of having depression and anxiety which makes my BDD worse, which then makes my depression and anxiety worse, etc and it goes on and on. Any tips?

[penguins123]

Well, this can be difficult, but worth practicing. View your body differently: not for how it looks, but how it functions. Your arms are used for so many things and can lift, push, pull, help you get dressed, hug others, etc. View your hands as important for preparing food, dong creative things like painting, sewing, drawing, typing, etc. View your legs and feet as wonderful appendages which help you to walk: up hills, down hills, drive a car, pedal a bike, etc. See your body as a most wonderful instrument to help you get through life and exercise and create art or play an instrument. I hope this helps. Learn to love your body for how useful and amazing it is....try and forget about how it looks for now.....

[Abdul88]

I used to feel that way if anyone told me anything about me like if i been told i look cute in this or that i feel like they just saying that to be nice then i learned that saying is believing so i look in the mirror an tell myself at loud im deserving and worthy

[PurpleSynesthesia]

Hiya,

So great that you overcame bulimia! Well done you!

I also struggle with all the things that you describe. Sometimes the anxiety is so bad with it that I'm scared to be outside the house & sincerely hope I don't bump into anyone I know because I feel so ugly.

One interesting thing I have noticed is that when I'm doing something practical, I don't feel that way.

For example, I'm working on a small landscape garden project just outside the front of my house. I have been digging, terracing & planning & it's made me feel energised.

Neighbours have commented on the progress & honestly, it's made me feel happy.

I think that because my attention & their attentions aren't on "me," I can see the bigger picture.

I find that being in my own thoughts is self-destructive & damaging - self-reflection isn't always the best way forward or the appropriate one.

I've used this analogy before but "you are what you eat" isn't necessarily a food reference - it can be applied to the thoughts you ingest, the company you keep... Basically anything that gets "inside" of you. So, if I'm feeling bad about myself, focusing on myself isn't going to be so great because I need outside input.

I hope that's a little helpful.

Have a wonderful day 🎉

[Bigbrighteyes96]

Hi ktg17, I have struggled with this, and I wrote a compassionate letter to myself, which does not have to be long, but reminds me I have family and friends who will love me no matter how my body shape looks. They won't care if I put on or lose a couple of pounds - I will still be the same person to them.