Question by : Is body dysmorphia looking in the mirror and seeing something that’s not there?
I’m 15 and I have body dysmorphia, and I’m curious as to how it works and how you can look in the mirror and see what everybody else sees. I’ve been told I’m very attractive but I think I’m hideous, and I complain about things about my image and other people say that they’re not there. How can I look in the mirror and see what it there?

Best answer:

Answer by Barry
Only use a small hand mirror to check appearance, so just a small part of the body may be seen at a time, yet anything wrong will still be immediately apparent; cover (taping over/painting) full length mirrors. Check out www.bddcentral/mainpage2.aspx and http://www.ocdla.com/bodydysmorphicdisor… and www.mental-health-abc.com and www.psychforums.com/viewforum.php and http://p066.ezboard.com/bbodydysmorphicd… and http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/b… and http://bddvictims.lefora.com/headlines/ Practice a relaxation method, daily, and when needed, such as www.drcoxconsulting.com/managing-stress.html or http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/mindbody/a/Meditation.htm and/or Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or yoga. Other things worth trying: Enter “EFT” in the searchbar, at www.mercola.com (free), & “EFT therapists (professional is recommended) a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is a version for use in public places, (you could claim to have a headache, as you use the acupressure massage/tapping on your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: repeating to yourself in your mind): “Even though I have a distorted body image, I deeply and completely accept myself”. All of these things are designed to bolster the central sense of identity, enable emotional centering, and changing the focus from that of a person’s appearance. When you notice something negative, such as: “I’m never going to get over this!” or: “Why am I always so pathetic/useless/such a loser?” or even: “I can’t do this/will never get over this!”, or a disturbing image, recognise that this is part of the mindset which will hold you back from progress.

Having identified and labelled it, visualise a large red “STOP!” sign, and/or possibly a stern faced person wagging an index finger at you in a negative manner, then say to yourself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: “I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!” You may want to use either: “ruse”, “ploy”, “game”, or “trick”, instead of “tactic”. In the case of an image, visualise a large “STOP” sign, or your preferred version. Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don’t regard it as being strictly necessary. Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method. It may well be worthwhile going to the Groups, at Myspace, Google, and Yahoo, to find others with the disorder, and see what has worked for them. View: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/board/about… and take the quiz at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2… Print the result; take to a doctor, and ask for an appropriate referral. BOOKS: “Picture perfect : what you need to feel better about your body” Jill S. Zimmerman Rutledge. by Health Communications, c2007, & “Feeling Good – the new mood therapy” by David D. Burns, from your bookstore, or http://www.amazon.com for this, and do a search of books, CD’s & videos on BDD, while you are there. Try the support groups, chat sites, and forums: www.bddcentral.comhttp://www.thebddfoundation.org/self_help/resources/resources_otherbddsites.htm & http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Battle-Bdd/221462

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Carl Rogers Video on Person-Centered Therapy Video – The founder of the humanistic, person-centered approach to psychology reflects on his life, his contributions to the field of psychotherapy and shares his pr…