This site is really helpful, but I have BDD, should I disscuss this in the eating disorders section or OCD section, theres no specific board for people like me, any clues?

I'm not familiar with the eating disorder board.

There is (as you probably know) a widely accepted belief that BDD and OCD are similar but mutually exclusive. I have both, with the BDD manifesting most annoyingly as skin picking, but I also obsess about other features of my appearance, such as any bulges around my body's midsection. I obess about colors matching, and when that obsession is focused on my clothing, it feels more like BDD, but it may be OCD (anyone care to weigh in on this one?).

So, I'm just guessing that if your BDD causes you to obsess about the food itself, perhaps the ED board would be better. But if you focus more upon your appearance, then the OCD board might be a better fit.

hmmm.... maybe I should try both boards, I totally obsess over eating, but also have the other skin picking, and clothing, weighing myself, checking my reflection obsessions, ive been told i have OCD by one therapist who treated me for phobias and checking myself in mirrors, and BDD by another, who focussed on my eating issues, so i'm really not sure where I stand when it comes to having a diagnosis. Thanks for your reply x

You know. I don't know much aobut BDD specifically, but many believe it is just another manifestation of OCD and if that is ture then Cognitive Behavioral Therapy would be your best bet. Find yourself a good CBT specialist in your area and start working on yourself with therapy. Medication can also help, but the CBT specialist will be able to tell you very quickly whether you need to see a psychiatrist as well, so try the CBT first. I use meditation for my OCD and it helps a lot. I am also on medication, so sometimes both may be needed. Check out the CBT first and see how it works.

Later,
OE

Ive just finished 18 months of CBT. It helped me overcome a phobia and get my eating problems under control, but as far as body image is concerned im no further. Ive been on so many different medications, nothing works, the best ive tried was Zoloft, and Dosulepin (might have another name in the US) for sleep problems, but after 8 months on that, my anxieties resurfaced and after a relationship breakup i overdosed on the dosulepin through desperation to sleep, then i decided to go it alone, without medication. I havent taken any medication for 6 months now. All in all ive been on various pills and therapies for 13 years (im 26), I just cant seem to get over the body image issue and i feel it wont go away. If I had the money I would definately seek cosmetic surgery, ive read a lot about BDD and surgery and there are many positive cases i have come across, i guess i would try anything to be happy with my appearance, as the anxiety i have plagues me for the most of everyday; it prevents me from bathing/ showering, swimming, enjoying holidays. I can get out the house, and i work, but only by wearing certain clothes to disguise the way i look. If i go out in the wrong clothes, i feel paranoid to the point of feeling sick and suffering from stomach problems, and last time i went out withput mascara, i panicked all the way back home, it was dreadful. Im totally lost right now for the best thing to do.

I have disturbing and anxiety provoking thoughts as well and no medication or CBT helped mine either. The only method I have found to free myself of these obsessive thoughts is meditation. It takes a lot of dedication and work, but in time it will teach you relaxation and thought control which is exactly what you need to get rid of the thoughts. Now, I still have bad days, but nothing like before.

Good luck,
OE

Thanks, i hadnt really thought about meditation, but it would be worth a try, even if it didnt help it sounds like a nice thing to do anyway, i might get some books, thanks again x

I've never been able to meditate because of ADD (although I know there are ADD people who mediate). I used to hang out with a lot of people that meditated in the 1970's. I thought they were just pretending to meditate. My mind is never empty. Words, words, words... LOL

But I bet it would be good for OCD.

I take Lexipro and Risperdal for my OCD. The Risperdal is the magic pill for my anxiety. It's such a relief not to have waves of panic clenching my stomach all the time. But it also causes weight gain, which is no help for my BDD tendencies.

avinitinatt, I've often thought of cosmetic surgery too. Seeking out cosmetic surgery is a symptom of BDD. I suppose in some cases it could relieve BDD (if you were focused on just one flaw, perhaps).