body dysmorphic disorder

does anyone suffer or know someone that suffers from body dysmorphic disorder?

my 28 year old daughters stuffs from this and i need help to help her

thank

here is a video of what it is

youtube.com/embed/OVklwL5odLc

[Sallyskins]

It's an irony that body dysmorphic disorder affects some of the most physically beautiful people there are!

Most of us focus on our imperfections rather that our good points. I think that, rather as OCD is often normal behaviour taken to an abnormal extreme, BDD takes our natural insecurities about our appearance to an extreme.

Celebrity culture has a lot to answer for, along with the media and advertising industry, who promote 'perfect' bodies and faces and demand we live up to them. Being bullied at school or problems with self esteem can also trigger BDD.

It can be treated with cognitive behavioural disorder or CBT, which involves learning to think about it in a different way, and to get a more balanced attitude.

Cosmetic surgery is rarely the answer - it doesn't deal with the underlying problem. The answer is learning to accept oneself - good points, flaws and all.

Each one of us is complex, individual and unique. I'm sure that your daughter has lots going for her - her personality, her talents, her beliefs, her enthusiasms, her ability to connect with other people - it's about learning to accept herself as a whole, and learning that others will too . This is something CBT can help her with.

Appearance is closely connected with personality anyway. I'm sure that we all know people who aren't physically perfect, but whose good nature and kindness shines through, or whose natural beauty is enhanced by their personality.

There are a number of books on BDD that could help her - here is a link to some of them from a website you and your daughter may find helpful. Perhaps some self esteem training could also help.

bddfoundation.org/informati...

[Hidden in reply to Sallyskins]

Thank you so much it is so hard to understand and watch her go through this .She is beautiful inside and out . and she owns her own business and is successful She even owns a home in Hawaii .but this bdd has taken over her .I feel hopeless Thank you for taking the time to listen and answer i will look into the info you sent me ,God bless you

[Sallyskins in reply to Hidden]

BDD does often affect the most beautiful people - beautiful inside and out, like your daughter. It's like being in one of those halls at funfairs full of distorting mirrors - and all the while other people accept you as beautiful. Good luck with this - I'm sure having your support will mean a lot to her.

[Hidden in reply to Sallyskins]

Your support means a lot to me tooThank you

Is there anything i can help you with?

Have a wonderful day and thank you again

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi again My daughter thanks you and your daughter but she does not want to talk to anyone at this point ,not even go for help .She is trying to do it on her own and put herself into her work. But seriously thank you from the bottom of my heart and in time I hope I can write here that she is better. Bless you and take care.

[trailwalker53 in reply to Hidden]

Hi...no problem, I understand. My prayers are with you both. I know first hand how devastating it is to watch your child suffer SO much. Although my daughter is doing better, she still continues to suffer from this horrible disorder. She attends a support group and continues to meet with her therapist regularly. Please take care of yourself also. We're here if she changes her mind. 🙂

[Hidden in reply to trailwalker53]

Oh thank you so much from the bottom of my heart .She has good days and bad days usually the bad ones are her time of the month.

God Bless you both and my prays are with the two of you.

Tell your daughter

'' You only have one life and live it with happiness every day'' .

My Dad and My Mom always use to say

''God only gives you things that you can handle!''

So that means God knows she is very strong.

If my daughter does change her mind I will reach out

You and yours have a Blessed Holiday!

[trailwalker53]

Hi Clarknj.....I am SO sorry for what your daughter is going through. I know how incredibly painful it is to watch your child suffer. My 23 daughter has suffered from BDD for many years. There is a common misconception that BDD has something to do with wanting to look "perfect" or pretty, but that is not it at all. My daughter looks in the mirror and sees something "grotesque", something "not human" in her own words. It is a distorted perception of one's appearance not unlike an anorexic looking in the mirror and seeing an obese person when they are really skin and bones. She would do anything to look human even to point of shaving all of her hair off. Words cannot express how devastating and debilitating this form of OCD is. She went to an intensive inpatient program in Massachusetts that literally saved her life. I spoke with her and she said she would be willing to be in touch with either you or your daughter if that could help you. I'm not sure how to private message on here but we can figure it out if you would like. Take good care.

[Hidden in reply to trailwalker53]

thank you so much i would love for them to talk on this site or even on phone

i will talk to her about it .and yes it is a horrible thing -

she would spend hours in the mirror and buying things that she would think that would help her change her nose ,chin and jawmy daughter also shaved her head and dye her hair -blue then purple then bleached it then black then pink etc til she burnt her hair

i am sorry you went through all this too but am happy that all is well now

the stress you went though and could do nothing

thank you again and will send a message tomorrow to see if talking -texting with your daughter is ok

God bless you and your daughter