body dysmoprhic disorder

"Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (previously known as Dysmorphophobia and sometimes referred to as Body dysmorphia) is a psychiatric disorder in which the affected person is excessively concerned about and preoccupied by an imagined or minor defect in his or her physical appearance"

BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects, linking it, among psychologists, to the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders

The disorder generally is diagnosed in those who are extremely critical of their physique or self-image even though there may be no noticeable disfigurement or defect, or a minor defect which is not recognised by most people

Most people wish that they could change or improve some aspect of their physical appearance; but people suffering from BDD, generally of normal or even highly attractive appearance, believe that they are so unspeakably hideous that they are unable to interact with others or function normally for fear of ridicule and humiliation about their appearance

Ironically, BDD is often misunderstood as a vanity-driven obsession, whereas it is quite the opposite, for people with BDD believe themselves to be irrevocably ugly or defective

people with BDD may compulsively look at themselves in the mirror or avoid mirrors, typically think about their appearance for at least one hour a day (and usually more), and in severe cases may drop all social contact and responsibilities as they become a recluse

Common symptoms of BDD include:

• Obsessive and compulsive behaviors related to perceived appearance defect
• Delusional thoughts and beliefs related to perceived appearance defect
• Feeling self-conscious in social environments; thinking that others notice and mock their perceived defect
• Problems initiating and maintaining relationships

Common compulsive behaviors associated with BDD include:

• Compulsive mirror checking, glancing in reflective doors, windows and other reflective surfaces
• Attempting to camouflage imagined defect: for example, using cosmetics, wearing baggy clothing, maintaining specific body posture or wearing hats.
• Excessive grooming behaviors: skin-picking, combing hair, plucking eyebrows, shaving, etc.
• Compulsive skin-touching, especially to measure or feel the perceived defect.
• Reassurance-seeking from loved ones
• Comparing appearance/body-parts with that of others
• In extreme cases, patients have attempted to perform plastic surgery on themselves, including liposuction and various implants with disastrous results

i think personally, i have this disorder..i self diagnose myself for having it..
the oni ting different is tat i luv having mirrors all around me hahaha....
all this is taken from wikipedia..oni those tat resembles ME...
i seek reassurance from luved one and my partner...beauty is someting i wan but i dun possess :(
anyways, im actually happy wif the way i am..is just tat at times i just wish i had a different body hahaha....sounds familiar to anyone else? i oways compare myself to others and gets scolded for it :'(
i am very self obsessive, i enjoy looking at myself, dressing up and buy nice tings hehehe..to keep myself happy tat is..its the oni way i can feel good about myself and my appearance..

ive got plenty of comments from all those 'sum koo lok poh' saying im gigantic..fat..masculine looking...unfit...unfeminine like....etc etc...
ive oso got comments like 'ah gal ah, if ure slim u look very pretty'...'ah gal ah, why dun u do more exercise'...'darling ah, loose weight la'....'dear ah, ure FAT so dun eat so much la'.....
i tell u ppl hah..i wasnt like tat b4 ok...wat the heck...everyone tinks im a fat arse ever since young =.=
im trying to be fit, healthy and slim OK...stop giving me the pressure..it sounds so much easier than actually doing it..and boy do i not like to exercise...hehehe....
i try hard but i tink im not trying hard enuf :P
but then again, the most hurtful ting u could hear from ure partner is:

"dear, u look FAT in watever u wear but i'll still LOVE you for who u are inside"

OMG who says such tings? soooo not motivating at all....idiotic claim really....

and not to forget wat the parents say:

"gal, u better lose weight, if not nobody will want u in the future and no one wanna marry u next time"

boy is tat harsh or wat....own parents telling me i wont get a wedding proposal in the future if i dun shed off the kiloz ><"

so now, who else is gonna say someting about my appearance and how FAT i am? speak up or forever hold ure peace...i can take any harsh opinions really, after wat the closest ppl in my life have to say about my looks...