Topic : 07/04 Body Dysmorphia

I admit, like a couple of others, I was thinking "What the hell is their problem, when others really do have something to complain about " until I watched the show.  I felt so bad for both of those girls I really hope they can find peace with themselves.

Now knowing that this tends to be muti faceted in its causes, I did a little reading up, I do wonder about the second guest, please hear me out before slamming or at least be nice if you dispute this, its just a question.

Could her Mother have been more obsessed with her daughter's looks than she was letting on ?  I mean who among us dosen't like to hear how beautiful our kids are ? And she herself had been suffering from depression and self esteem problems, was she maybe not intentionally, trying to live through her daughter ? To get up on the stage in the pagents takes confidence and lets face it, the kid has to have the looks as well, could there have been comments made to her about maybe her thighs getting big (in the normal course of a girl's growth, c'mon puberty isn't always kind and we all tend to go through the "Ugly" phase), did her looks become the "beall, and end all" of her life ? 

High school girls are mean, did someone prettier come along and knock her down a peg or two, so she avoids school ?

Like I said, I'm not making assumptions here, just asking questions. 

Cheyenne, you said that you would fake being sick just to stay home, and I think you are faking again. What a load of bull. If you truely had this disabling condition you wouldn't be sitting on that stage looking Dr Phil in the eye. You would feel so bad about your looks that your head would be down trying to hide your looks. Shame on you for pretending to have this condition. You are more or less making fun of anyone with BDD and anyone who doesn't measure up to your standards of beauty. Get a life and let someone be on the show that really needs Dr Phil's help. Did you ever stop and think that you may be wishing ugliness upon yourself by pretending that you are ugly. Wouldn't it be sad if you had to go through life looking "bad" like the majority of us poor souls have to. Did you get all of the media attention that you were hoping for?

This sounds all to familiar. I am 35 and a substitute teacher. I hate to look in the mirror, will not ever look in a mirror when I am out of the house because I know it will upset me and I will probably end up going home. I do not want to see what other people see. I will avoid having my picture taken at all costs. Once I die, there will be very little evidence that I ever existed!

 

I am finding it so difficult to converse with people because when I do, I can see them looking at me, seeing my every flaw, and I swear I see them recoil from me. I have been trying to get  a teaching job, but the interview process is so difficult for me. I lose track of my thoughts because I feel they are looking at me and judging my looks. I try to speak as little as possible because I cant stand having people look at me for too long.  I teach primary students, because the older children get, the more they judge your looks.

 

I am single, and always will be. I have never been able to understand why anyone would ever want me. I am not attractive, happy, smart,rich, and it is work for me to even be friendly anymore. I just dont want to draw any atttention to myself...ever. Every day I leave the house leaves me feeling anxious, and with such a sense of inferiority and despair.   

 

I am trying to change my thought process. I try to remind myself that I  am not the only ugly person in the world, big deal...get over yourself.  Stand up straight, head up, walk like you own the place, like people are looking at me because they like my shirt, or I have a nice figure...not because I am so ugly they can't help but stare. I have to stop tripping over my words because my mind is constantly racing to find a way to say what I have to say in the quickest way possible. I usually end up saying everything wrong because i am trying too hard to say it fast.  Im trying to learn to talk slower, with conviction...like everyone is interested in hearing my every,brilliant thought! LOL Crazy huh. 

It is too bad that Diana has to be subjected to sexual abuse when she was a child.  It showed that it affected her livelyhood.  I hope that she overcomes her psychological battles.  She has a beautiful appearance.

 I, myself, thought that these women on the show were beautiful!

 

I have been made fun of since kindergarden because of my looks. Im overweight(190 lbs.), ugly(buck teeth, acne) still in my 30's Im dealing with this even NOW!

 

I hear and get stares from ADULTS to little kids who laugh and giggle(some kids are even scared). I dont HIDE in my home because I am willing to show my daughter that no matter what you look like life STILL goes on.

 

Some of the stories I didnt quite buy myself. Looking in the mirror for 2 hours, not going outside the home. Sounds like something else is the problem, IF they were so afraid or ugly they WOULD NOT be on the show at all! The ONLY way to even get me on the show is to NOT to show my face AT ALL and conduct the interview with my siloette(sp.) up on the screen. I cant even look at myself in the mirror for a long time(only enough time to get what I need to get done).The tattooing permanent make-up on the face(forgot the woman's name), IF she tattooed the make up on why was she putting MORE make up on her face when in the next shot she was shown PUTTING ON lipstick?

 

For another adult to tell me the "Im beautiful on the inside", "What matters is in the heart" bit. I HEARD IT ALL! And times it is hard to believe even at being in a adult world. People judge others like its changing underwear these days, which is why I dont date. Im very happy single! There is NO law saying I have to date/be married in order to be happy(that can prolly be another topic).

 

I absolutley get sick at my stomach when I see a skinny attractive woman on a talk show saying how ugly she is and still thinks she is ugly after many surgeries later!

Diana, you are so beautiful. The only improvement you need is to put a smile on your face. I wish I was a pretty as you, truely. Best of luck to you in your recovery. ~Sarah

All of u Women are soo pretty and you guys have nothing at all to worry about!!

i think dr. phil is right....there's other problems in the world so get over yourselves and stop staring in the mirror!!  well he didn't say it like that but y'all now what he really meant.  

Your story sounds much like mine.  I am frustrated by the number of posts in here saying that people that suffer from BDD are vain.  It is a real disorder, I think it is a lot like anorexia/bulemia.  There is a book called Broken Mirror by Katherine Phillips MD that I would recommend to anyone feeling this way.  Unless you've been there or had someone close to you have this disorder, you just don't understand how real it is.  Please be more sensitive to others that are suffering, it is NOT vanity. 

 

There is hope - I suffered for three years. Was so afraid of foods that I thought were causing my acne, I actually dropped from 130 lbs (at 5'4") to 99 lbs.  I reached my low, crying in front of the mirror for 2 hours.  I asked God for help and it suddenly popped into my head that I needed help.  I saw a therapist and went on paxil.  I was on it for 10 months and significantly improved.  Faith, therapy, medication and a supportive family pulled me through.  I forced myself to go to work everyday, even when I wanted to stay home.  Be strong. Best  wishes, I know the pain and wish you the best as well as Diana.

 

I also think there may be a connection between this, obsessive compulsive disorder and perfectionism?  Thoughts???

one word...WORD!!!!

 

I totally agree!!  if they were so feeling ugly then why are they all made up....and nice lipgloss there cheyenne!

 

boo effing hoo that ppl tell them all the time that they are pretty!  ha!  they need to get over it...know that they're hot...and do something PRODUCTIVE!!