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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Adrift on June 20, 2006, at 22:18:07
Does anyone suffer from this? It has been suggested that I might have this, how would I know for certain?
Posted by Adrift on June 20, 2006, at 22:23:33
In reply to Body Dysmorphic Disorder, posted by Adrift on June 20, 2006, at 22:18:07
It wasn't a medical professional who made the suggestion, it was a friend.
Posted by Racer on June 21, 2006, at 2:02:01
In reply to Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder, posted by Adrift on June 20, 2006, at 22:23:33
It would help if you gave some indiction what symptoms are leading your friend to suggest this, but in general, BDD is a little different than most people think. Having a distorted body image is NOT BDD. Having a distorted body image is -- well, it's having a distorted body image.
BDD generally has a specific and obsessive focus -- "I didn't get that job because my ears stick out," "that cute guy won't ask me out because my ears stick out too much," "I shouldn't leave the house because my ears stick out so much that it totally ruins my looks and makes me look like a freak," "Everyone stares at me and thinks I'm weird because of how much my ears stick out." That's more like BDD.
And then there's the other side -- sometimes, what others might think is BDD, just isn't. I have been told that "your b**bs aren't that big, it's not a problem." Well, uh, guess what? Just because someone else doesn't think they LOOK big, doesn't mean that I can find clothing that fits, it doesn't mean that I can exercise comfortably without wearing two bras, etc. So, do I think that the size of my b**bs totally ruins my looks? No, but I do think that the way I look to others is distorted by the size of my chest, and that my life would be a lot easier if I didn't have them. (Not to mention less painful.) So, my issue around this section of my body might make someone else say, "Ah, BDD." Nope -- practical things, like finding clothing and physical discomfort are behind my dislike of this section of my body.
Make sense? I know, I went off on a tangent. I do that. But at least I did hit on the three things that seemed important: the difference between BDD and distorted body image; one example of what sorts of things are involved in BDD; and that sometimes the body dissatisfaction is real, even if someone else might not see it.
Hope that helps
Posted by Tamar on June 21, 2006, at 4:34:14
In reply to Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder » Adrift, posted by Racer on June 21, 2006, at 2:02:01
> And then there's the other side -- sometimes, what others might think is BDD, just isn't. I have been told that "your b**bs aren't that big, it's not a problem." Well, uh, guess what? Just because someone else doesn't think they LOOK big, doesn't mean that I can find clothing that fits, it doesn't mean that I can exercise comfortably without wearing two bras, etc. So, do I think that the size of my b**bs totally ruins my looks? No, but I do think that the way I look to others is distorted by the size of my chest, and that my life would be a lot easier if I didn't have them. (Not to mention less painful.) So, my issue around this section of my body might make someone else say, "Ah, BDD." Nope -- practical things, like finding clothing and physical discomfort are behind my dislike of this section of my body.EXACTLY! EXACTLY! Wow, it feels good to know I'm not the only one. I feel as if I need to introduce them before I introduce myself; they seem to enter a room before me. "Hi, I'm Tamar; I see you've met my boobs already."
Sorry Adrift, didn't mean to hijack your thread. I agree with Racer that BDD is a very comlpex thing. It's not very common, but that doesn't mean you couldn't possibly have it. However, if you have such strong feelings about a part of your body, it sounds like something that needs to be addressed. Are you in therapy? (Sorry, I can't remember if you've said.)
Tamar
Posted by ElaineM on June 21, 2006, at 7:50:14
In reply to Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder, posted by Adrift on June 20, 2006, at 22:23:33
Adrift: I won't write much now, (and forgive me if I don't pick the right words, I'm no expert) but I have BDD and and an ED. I don't know if your concerns are weight related, but I know that that is something people find confusing - the difference between the two. The problem with "knowing" if you have it is that it is a disorder that exists on the delusional spectrum. I'm still working on that part of it myself.
Because of the nature of it, I do think that you would need a professional to diagnosis it. But if you are interested a really good book about it I'd recommend "The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder" by Katharine A. Phillips.
You should mention your concerns to your T (if you have one.)
Elaine
Posted by Adrift on June 21, 2006, at 18:40:58
In reply to Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder » Adrift, posted by Racer on June 21, 2006, at 2:02:01
> It would help if you gave some indiction what symptoms are leading your friend to suggest this, but in general, BDD is a little different than most people think. Having a distorted body image is NOT BDD. Having a distorted body image is -- well, it's having a distorted body image.
>
> BDD generally has a specific and obsessive focus -- "I didn't get that job because my ears stick out," "that cute guy won't ask me out because my ears stick out too much," "I shouldn't leave the house because my ears stick out so much that it totally ruins my looks and makes me look like a freak," "Everyone stares at me and thinks I'm weird because of how much my ears stick out." That's more like BDD.>
> And then there's the other side -- sometimes, what others might think is BDD, just isn't. I have been told that "your b**bs aren't that big, it's not a problem." Well, uh, guess what? Just because someone else doesn't think they LOOK big, doesn't mean that I can find clothing that fits, it doesn't mean that I can exercise comfortably without wearing two bras, etc. So, do I think that the size of my b**bs totally ruins my looks? No, but I do think that the way I look to others is distorted by the size of my chest, and that my life would be a lot easier if I didn't have them. (Not to mention less painful.) So, my issue around this section of my body might make someone else say, "Ah, BDD." Nope -- practical things, like finding clothing and physical discomfort are behind my dislike of this section of my body.
>
> Make sense? I know, I went off on a tangent. I do that. But at least I did hit on the three things that seemed important: the difference between BDD and distorted body image; one example of what sorts of things are involved in BDD; and that sometimes the body dissatisfaction is real, even if someone else might not see it.
>
> Hope that helpsIt sounds like I may have something. My friend thinks I am obsessed with my body. That was helpful, thanks, I should mention it to my T, gradually over the last few years my concern over it has been growing and I do not think I am delusional so it is hard for me when others imply or say otherwise which is what she was doing. I see myself in the mirror, I am not blind, the mirror is not distorted, it's really confusing.
Posted by Adrift on June 21, 2006, at 18:44:28
In reply to Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder, posted by ElaineM on June 21, 2006, at 7:50:14
> Adrift: I won't write much now, (and forgive me if I don't pick the right words, I'm no expert) but I have BDD and and an ED. I don't know if your concerns are weight related, but I know that that is something people find confusing - the difference between the two. The problem with "knowing" if you have it is that it is a disorder that exists on the delusional spectrum. I'm still working on that part of it myself.
>
> Because of the nature of it, I do think that you would need a professional to diagnosis it. But if you are interested a really good book about it I'd recommend "The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder" by Katharine A. Phillips.
>
> You should mention your concerns to your T (if you have one.)
> ElaineI will talk to my t about it and thanks for the book suggestion. Its confusing because I know I am not delusional, but if I make a negative comment about myself people make me feel delusional.
Posted by Racer on June 21, 2006, at 23:23:54
In reply to Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder » Racer, posted by Adrift on June 21, 2006, at 18:40:58
> >>
> It sounds like I may have something. My friend thinks I am obsessed with my body. That was helpful, thanks, I should mention it to my T, gradually over the last few years my concern over it has been growing and I do not think I am delusional so it is hard for me when others imply or say otherwise which is what she was doing. I see myself in the mirror, I am not blind, the mirror is not distorted, it's really confusing.
>No, honey, the mirror is not distorted, and I'm sure you're not blind. That doesn't mean what you see in the mirror is not distorted.
What sort of concern are you talking about, by the way? Is it about a specific part of your body, or about your body as a whole? Is it related to your weight? If so, it's worth talking to your T about body image issues.
There is also a book called "The Body Image Workbook," which is very helpful. There are eight exercises in it, and they are very helpful. I recommend it.
Posted by Adrift on June 22, 2006, at 2:04:11
In reply to Can you stand a little teasing? » Adrift, posted by Racer on June 21, 2006, at 23:23:54
> No, honey, the mirror is not distorted, and I'm sure you're not blind. That doesn't mean what you see in the mirror is not distorted.
lol, Do you know how or why this can happen? These damn mirrors mess me up.
>
> What sort of concern are you talking about, by the way? Is it about a specific part of your body, or about your body as a whole? Is it related to your weight? If so, it's worth talking to your T about body image issues.
It is pretty much related to weight, and its getting really bad. I'm worried my t will not understand the severity of it. Any ideas on how to express it so the concerns are clear?>
> There is also a book called "The Body Image Workbook," which is very helpful. There are eight exercises in it, and they are very helpful. I recommend it.cool, thanks!
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