RoseM123
07-05-2006, 02:31 PM
I was just wondering if there is anyone on here who has BDD? I have not gone to the doctor yet, but after hearing so many stories from people that do I see the same symptoms in myself. I look in the mirror ALL the time, this past winter I never went out due to flaws I see wrong with myself, I try to fix everything thats wrong with me, its hard for me to look in the mirror when I will have all of my make up on just because I don't want to see something wrong with myself. When something I see is on my face that was never there I freak out and can not breathe for a few minutes and I missed more than 20 days of school just because I would get a blemish. I really do hate this and I can't control it although I really wish I could... I will appreciate any opinons or knowledge as to what you think. This obsession is taking over my life:confused:
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ms_mod
07-05-2006, 02:51 PM
Hi RoseM123,
Please note that your post has been moved to this board.
I beleive you'll get a better response to your question here.
Ms_Mod
Please note that your post has been moved to this board.
I beleive you'll get a better response to your question here.
Ms_Mod
steveo23
07-05-2006, 08:04 PM
Rose
Hey. BDD is related to the obsessive spectrum. I used to suffer greatly fom BDD, and like you, I would miss out on tons of school and social activities. I can understand your situation.
Rose, the best thing you can do for yourself is see your doctor. BDD is taking away from you the life you deserve. This disorder is no different from a broken bone... it needs the proper treatment to heal, or it will only get worse. There are a lot of resources on the net about BDD, maybe print some off and confront your doc with them?
This is an obsession, like the ones found in OCD, but unfortunately focused on your appearance, and it can be oh so powerful. But it can be overcome.
Steve
Hey. BDD is related to the obsessive spectrum. I used to suffer greatly fom BDD, and like you, I would miss out on tons of school and social activities. I can understand your situation.
Rose, the best thing you can do for yourself is see your doctor. BDD is taking away from you the life you deserve. This disorder is no different from a broken bone... it needs the proper treatment to heal, or it will only get worse. There are a lot of resources on the net about BDD, maybe print some off and confront your doc with them?
This is an obsession, like the ones found in OCD, but unfortunately focused on your appearance, and it can be oh so powerful. But it can be overcome.
Steve
RoseM123
07-08-2006, 12:05 AM
Remembering back though I do not remember having a problem with anything like this until this year? Maybe it was there though and never that bad because I have always been very self concious I remember how I use to not go out if my skin would be really broke out, but now my skin doesn't break out very often. Now it is other flaws that I find wrong with myself. Do you think I have had the problem and over time this is what it has evolved too? I am considering even doing online schooling this year coming up and also I am going to be a sophmore. I see no reason as how this is related to OCD I thought it would be more like an anxiety problem, the good thing about it is it has kept me out of trouble this year, but I am really miserable. I am going to talk about all my symptoms to my doctor soon. I would also like to say that 4 years ago I had an overdose when I attempted to commit suicide?? I thought I was better and I am beginning to think different. I never knew about BDD until I read about it in a magizine and saw people on oprah with it. And I thought of myself when I saw the people on there because of the way she would tivo herself on television and look for flaws. I upload pictures of myself and study them on my computer all the time... I know that is not normal. I just really wish this would go away...
steveo23
07-08-2006, 09:01 AM
Rose
Both BDD and OCD are anxiety disorders. They are closely related because of their obsessive nature. They both involve a typical anxiety. With BDD the anxiety is physical appearance, with OCD the anxiety maybe germs for example. The anxiety causes constant checking, as you constantly check your appearance, and as someone with OCD would constantly clean. Both conditions also involve a large degree of avoidance... as in you, avoiding school, and as in someone with OCD avoiding unclean situations. BDD and OCD used to be considered one disorder, but the problem arising with BDD have now been put in a class of its own. Some cases of BDD are so severe that people have been known to have amputations to remove "unsightly" limbs. This is rarely carried out, as doctors are reluctant to give into the obsessive nature of the disorder and to carry out deliberate mutations on physically healthy people. The biggest problems are associated with avoidance. This is why BDD and OCD are considered extremely debilitating, and many sufferers find themselves socially isolated and missing out on school/work.
BDD may well have been a past problem with you, as anxiety disorders tend to reach severity during adolescence. For example, my OCD never became a serious problem until I was 14. Females tend to experience a later onset of mental health problems than males do, for whatever reason, which may be way you are only noticing now. BDD, like OCD, will only get worse over time without proper treatment. Uploading pictures of yourself on computer is very characteristic of compulsive behaviour, especially as you recognize that it is irrational.
Its a brave step confronting your doctor, he/she will know more, and most likely will be able to give you a diagnosis and follow up treatment. Also tell your doc your worries about schooling and the other effects this is having on your life. Im sorry to hear about your suicide attempt. I have been there myself due to my own troubles with OCD.
Please dont despair, Rose... this problem can be solved with the proper attention. Many people conquer their BDD and OCD, and Im positive that once you see your doc this can only get better for you. It may take a while, but it will be worth it. :) Take care
Steve
Both BDD and OCD are anxiety disorders. They are closely related because of their obsessive nature. They both involve a typical anxiety. With BDD the anxiety is physical appearance, with OCD the anxiety maybe germs for example. The anxiety causes constant checking, as you constantly check your appearance, and as someone with OCD would constantly clean. Both conditions also involve a large degree of avoidance... as in you, avoiding school, and as in someone with OCD avoiding unclean situations. BDD and OCD used to be considered one disorder, but the problem arising with BDD have now been put in a class of its own. Some cases of BDD are so severe that people have been known to have amputations to remove "unsightly" limbs. This is rarely carried out, as doctors are reluctant to give into the obsessive nature of the disorder and to carry out deliberate mutations on physically healthy people. The biggest problems are associated with avoidance. This is why BDD and OCD are considered extremely debilitating, and many sufferers find themselves socially isolated and missing out on school/work.
BDD may well have been a past problem with you, as anxiety disorders tend to reach severity during adolescence. For example, my OCD never became a serious problem until I was 14. Females tend to experience a later onset of mental health problems than males do, for whatever reason, which may be way you are only noticing now. BDD, like OCD, will only get worse over time without proper treatment. Uploading pictures of yourself on computer is very characteristic of compulsive behaviour, especially as you recognize that it is irrational.
Its a brave step confronting your doctor, he/she will know more, and most likely will be able to give you a diagnosis and follow up treatment. Also tell your doc your worries about schooling and the other effects this is having on your life. Im sorry to hear about your suicide attempt. I have been there myself due to my own troubles with OCD.
Please dont despair, Rose... this problem can be solved with the proper attention. Many people conquer their BDD and OCD, and Im positive that once you see your doc this can only get better for you. It may take a while, but it will be worth it. :) Take care
Steve
seriousperson
07-09-2006, 12:58 AM
...I remember how I use to not go out if my skin would be really broke out, but now my skin doesn't break out very often. Now it is other flaws that I find wrong with myself. Do you think I have had the problem and over time this is what it has evolved too?It's kind of like being plagued by a chameleon that changes its color depending upon the environment.
...I am considering even doing online schooling this year ...I just read a book on OCD and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Abramowitz. The main point of this method is to practice putting yourself in the situation that causes you to get obsessive thoughts (like, "I have something wrong with my appearance"), and then to practice refraining from the avoidance behavior. In your case --which is mine too -- this would mean going out in public (to school) and refraining from hiding at home.
...I am considering even doing online schooling this year ...I just read a book on OCD and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Abramowitz. The main point of this method is to practice putting yourself in the situation that causes you to get obsessive thoughts (like, "I have something wrong with my appearance"), and then to practice refraining from the avoidance behavior. In your case --which is mine too -- this would mean going out in public (to school) and refraining from hiding at home.