How is it Body Dysmorphia if I really am too big?

siwilso

I took the body image test, http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/interactivetests/body_image.php , and scored a 49. A score over 40 indicates "You are suffering from a condition called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) which is translated as body hatred." Don't get me wrong, I do hate my stomach fat and my current weight. But I would regularly say I have a pretty high self esteem, I just know better than to wear any clingy or stomach bearing tops at 190lbs, size 11/12 pants. I don't think I suffer from BDD because I am just plain too big. The only way I would think maybe BDD plays a role into my life is regarding relationships. I've been single for a year and a half and immediately "friend zone" all males 1. because I am so young (21) I'm focused on having fun but also I'm realizing it's because of 2. I am so uncomfortable in my body. The thought of someone putting their arm around my stomach at this size is not an option. I see couples with girls my size or bigger I get happy for them I'm like "wow! good for her she found someone who will be with her". I just feel like no one would be attracted to me like this. I know that test is crap, and obviously I'm here now to make lifestyle changes so my body is beautiful to me. I guess I just needed to get this off my chest mostly, it's not something I would be comfortable talking about with friends. Thanks for reading if you did :flowerforyou:

Mharren

Body Dysmorphia is a psychiatric condition that is similar somewhat to visual distortion. That's why when you see pictures meant to illustrate the condition it is often shown as a thin girl looking into a mirror and seeing a very large girl, or a muscular man looking into a mirror and seeing a very thin man.

Being uncomfortable with part of your body does not imply you suffer from Body Dysmorphia. Body Dysmorphia requires that you be unable to 'see' yourself, and that as a result of being unable to 'see' yourself, you 'see' something you dislike, or like (contrary to pop culture belief this goes both ways).

For instance, I had a patient once who had tried to do her own nose job, because she believed her nose had deviated to the left of her face. She had no history of nose breaks and her pictures showed no deviation even when we had the plastic surgeon look at her prior pictures before he HAD to do a nose job. Even after the nose job, she continued to complain that her nose deviated to the left. This is an extreme example, but it should show the difference between someone who thinks their nose is too big, too small, too whatever, and someone who is suffering from visual distortions and obsessive cognitive processes.

The same thing happens with Body Dysmorphia. Unfortunately, when medical diagnoses get out into the 'pseudo-health science' world the diagnosis can take on a 'laymans' interpretation, which I suspect is what has happened here.

If you're tummy protrudes and makes a convex lane from the base of your rib cage to the cup of your hips and that IS what you see, then you are not suffering from Body Dysmorphia.

Also for a diagnosis to actually apply, the general rule of thumb for psychiatric conditions is that it MUST cause significant interference with your daily life, or Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). ADL's are thinks like fullfilling your work responsibilities, preparing food for yourself, bathing, dressing, etc. This is why someone may say "I am depressed" because they feel sad, but are not 'clinically depressed' because their depressed feelings have not SIGNIFICANTLY interfered with their daily life.

Online questionnaires and tests can be sort of fun and give you some insight into things, but take them with a grain of salt. If you are concerned that you might be suffering from Body Dysmorphia then a consultation with your primary care physician is advisable.

Best Regards,

- Mharren

onyxgirl17

Body Dysmorphia is a psychiatric condition that is similar somewhat to visual distortion. That's why when you see pictures meant to illustrate the condition it is often shown as a thin girl looking into a mirror and seeing a very large girl, or a muscular man looking into a mirror and seeing a very thin man.

Being uncomfortable with part of your body does not imply you suffer from Body Dysmorphia. Body Dysmorphia requires that you be unable to 'see' yourself, and that as a result of being unable to 'see' yourself, you 'see' something you dislike, or like (contrary to pop culture belief this goes both ways).

For instance, I had a patient once who had tried to do her own nose job, because she believed her nose had deviated to the left of her face. She had no history of nose breaks and her pictures showed no deviation even when we had the plastic surgeon look at her prior pictures before he HAD to do a nose job. Even after the nose job, she continued to complain that her nose deviated to the left. This is an extreme example, but it should show the difference between someone who thinks their nose is too big, too small, too whatever, and someone who is suffering from visual distortions and obsessive cognitive processes.

The same thing happens with Body Dysmorphia. Unfortunately, when medical diagnoses get out into the 'pseudo-health science' world the diagnosis can take on a 'laymans' interpretation, which I suspect is what has happened here.

If you're tummy protrudes and makes a convex lane from the base of your rib cage to the cup of your hips and that IS what you see, then you are not suffering from Body Dysmorphia.

Also for a diagnosis to actually apply, the general rule of thumb for psychiatric conditions is that it MUST cause significant interference with your daily life, or Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). ADL's are thinks like fullfilling your work responsibilities, preparing food for yourself, bathing, dressing, etc. This is why someone may say "I am depressed" because they feel sad, but are not 'clinically depressed' because their depressed feelings have not SIGNIFICANTLY interfered with their daily life.

Online questionnaires and tests can be sort of fun and give you some insight into things, but take them with a grain of salt. If you are concerned that you might be suffering from Body Dysmorphia then a consultation with your primary care physician is advisable.

Best Regards,

- Mharren

What a great response

rowanwood

Too big for what?

I'm 190 lbs. I wear clingy tops. I have sex. I don't have to hide in a corner.

If you hate yourself to the point you can't function, you need to see someone for help.

siwilso

I assure you, I'm perfectly functional. I don't think it's wrong to shy away from a top I think emphasizes my "problem area"

and thanks - Mharren I agree it was a silly test but it got in my head a bit lol just needed to vent