I am really having a hard time reading some of these posts. As someone with any other mental OR physical illness knows, ie. diabetes, cancer, rhematoid arthritis, bipolar....BDD is a disorder that needs to be treated. It is NOT vanity, self-centered-ness, selfishness...It is a brain disorder that yes, may be hard for one to understand that an average, or even very attractive person can say they are ugly, and look like a monster. Believe it. IT'S REAL. I personally want to thank Dr. Arie Winograd, Katherine Phillips, CNN, Opera, Dr. Phil, to recognize BDD and get the word out there.
My personal journey began 6 years ago. Thank God, the past year I began to feel better (zoloft at high dose) and therrapy, BUT I do not regret feeling this pain for one second. Yes, I was suicidal, and begged for answers, and for God to take my life, but it has made me do something with my life. I can now understand that the purpose of this life is to make a difference, and to make sense of it all. We only get one shot to do whatever it is we want to do. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but now that I have 'tamed' my BDD (like any other addiction, it will always be there) I am going to go for my PhD and kick some serious BDD ass. It's a severe, crippling disorder that must be dealt with accordingly.
My advice to any of you out there that think they may have BDD...SPEAK UP. I went to SEVERAL different doctors, all being diagnosed as other disorders because I was too scared to tell them I was obsessed with my appearnace, fearing they will think I am superfiecial and vain. Don't be shy, because BDD gets worse every day, month, and eventually you will find yourself much worse years later. It will only get better with direct intervention, be it medication,behavioural therapy, and facing this demon HEAD ON....Feel free to contact me anytime. If there is anything I can do, drop me a line...(email a_rubino@hotmail.com)
If you do not know what BDD is, whether you don't have it, or you have not done factual research, keep your 'superficial' comments to yourself, because ignorance is just embarrassing.
