Body-Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Body dysmorphic disorder is a type of chronic mental illness in which you can't stop thinking about a flaw with your appearance — a flaw either that is minor or that you imagine. But to you, your appearance seems so shameful and distressing that you don't want to be seen by anyone. Body dysmorphic disorder has sometimes been called "imagined ugliness."

That paragraph is from a website called MayoClinic.com. I remember a couple years ago, my mom saying that I had this disorder. I think one of my therapists might have told her because it was news to me back then. But now I see I fit the description perfectly. Does anyone else have this problem or been diagnosed with it?

My sister has it.

druscilla; contrast.:

My sister has it.

Younger?

QuestionOrConfession:

druscilla; contrast.:

My sister has it.

Younger?

Yeah. She's nearly 16.
She sees her body incorrectly.
Her over-large breasts make her view the rest of her body as over-large.
We're hoping when she gets them reduced it will help.

druscilla; contrast.:

QuestionOrConfession:

druscilla; contrast.:

My sister has it.

Younger?

Yeah. She's nearly 16.
She sees her body incorrectly.
Her over-large breasts make her view the rest of her body as over-large.
We're hoping when she gets them reduced it will help.

I hope everything works out for her.

I most likely have it.

I find myself pretty repulsive and there are several of my physical features that I despise, yet guys seem to find me very attractive and people are always telling me I look great when I point out my flaws.

I've looked after a patient in a mental ward with really severe BDD. She thought she was really skinny, when in fact she was actually really large. She kept thinking she needed to eat to gain weight and she'd go as far to drinking toilet water to try and get anything she could into her.

:think: Are eating disorders related to this, by chance? Anorexia for instance?

They can be... yes :)

Is this disorder a common diagnosis?
For example is it often diagnosed to people with eating disorders?

Eating disorders are not necessarily directly related to it for everyone. Usually people with BDD become that way at a young age. They become fixated with a certain feature of their body (or a few features) - and it's not necessarily their weight. In fact, according to Wiki, skin is the most common fixation for people with BDD, followed by hair. But I guess if someone has BDD and their fixation is on their weight, then they could become anorexic or bulimic etc.

Lightning Zap:

I've looked after a patient in a mental ward with really severe BDD. She thought she was really skinny, when in fact she was actually really large. She kept thinking she needed to eat to gain weight and she'd go as far to drinking toilet water to try and get anything she could into her.

Wow! That's...interesting I guess. That's the only word I can think of to describe that. Usually you'll see a skinny person thinking they're fat, not the other way around. I hope that girl gets better.

life is but a dream:

Is this disorder a common diagnosis?
For example is it often diagnosed to people with eating disorders?

I think it can be, but not everyone with BDD has an eating disorder.

my best friend has a major case, actually. she goes to a doctor and everything.

My auntie has it , she wont even go out the house without looking 'perfect'
but then i look at myself , im quite terrible because i never think i can achieve perfection and its my life long goal aha.
I've suffered from low self esteem since i can remember i also have anorexica.

I probably have it somewhat.
I hate my body, and I think I'm gross looking when everyone tells me I'm not.
I'm not going to abuse myself and become anorexic though.

amanda.pants:

I probably have it somewhat.
I hate my body, and I think I'm gross looking when everyone tells me I'm not.
I'm not going to abuse myself and become anorexic though.

You might have it, but don't assume you do until you get a professional diagnoses.

For those of you saying you "probably have it" because you're repulsed with you body and such, you should stop.
My friend is researching this and was telling me about it, and it is a very serious disorder.
It isn't being repulsed with your body. It is more than that.
So I just want to say that you should stop diagnosing yourselves.

libbey crocodile.:

For those of you saying you "probably have it" because you're repulsed with you body and such, you should stop.
My friend is researching this and was telling me about it, and it is a very serious disorder.
It isn't being repulsed with your body. It is more than that.
So I just want to say that you should stop diagnosing yourselves.

Exactly right.

I guess that having somebody close to you with BDD would impact your own self image, right? :think: