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Distorted Mirrors: Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Health | June 29, 2015
Fitness and wellbeing are often about personal growth. It’s fantastic that we look and feel good, but it’s also important that we use fitness as a stepping stone to achieve bigger and better things for ourselves – not just physical challenges, but also those internal battles inside of us.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is one such battle that many wage inside of themselves. Most of us have some aspect of our physical appearance that we’re not perfectly satisfied with. That’s normal. We are all human after all and chasing perfection can truly be fool’s errand. However, when we begin to obsess about a particular aspect of our appearance – cellulite, thigh gaps, the shape of our eyes or cheekbones, etc. – we enter into the anxious world of BDD.
To make matters worse, more often than not the perception of a perceived physical flaw is not evident to anyone else except the individual suffering from BDD. It’s as though they perceive themselves and their supposed flaws through a constant funhouse mirror. Their self-image distorts and they simply can’t see clearly because they can’t help but to neurotically fixate on a specific body part or body parts. Worse, the more they obsess about it the worse their BDD becomes.
Ironically enough, some people with chronic cases of BDD are often in great shape. Bodybuilders, for example, often obsess about the size of their muscles to a ridiculously unhealthy degree. They simply can’t be big enough to feel satisfied with themselves. In fact, this particular study indicates that 5 out 15 bodybuilders suffer from BDD. And it’s not just men in the fitness world either.
In this day and age of the constant selfie BDD is most certainly on the rise. As a result, we risk reducing health and wellbeing to be exclusively about our physical appearances. In doing so we are jeopardizing our mental and emotional wellbeing: the very foundation of who we are as women.
I think when people talk about ideas such as body acceptance it makes perfect sense within the context of anxiety disorders such as BDD. However, body acceptance shouldn’t mean we become complacent, stop caring about our health and wellbeing or, worse, simply give up. If you’re out of shape or at an unhealthy weight do something positive and life-affirming about it! However, if you’re obsessing about parts of your body that can’t be changed without a call to your local plastic surgeon really, really take the time to assess what exactly you don’t like about yourself. Almost always, there are issues that lurk beneath the surface of ourselves that we either can’t fully see or are unwilling to see. True self-reflection rarely requires a mirror :).
Most importantly, remember: All of us are blessed with flaws. It’s what makes us unique, beautiful and human.
Have you ever suffered from BDD? What steps did you take to help yourself?
Private Member |
Hi Zuzka, I’m elated you have brought up this sensitive subject because I was not aware of this disorder given the fact I’m suffering from it. I tend to find hundreds of flaws when I look In the mirror but seems nobody else can see what I’m seeing. I’ve been fighting this for about 7 years now even though I workout 4 days a week and try to watch what I eat. It is so depressing and frustrating to the point I want to give up on working out but I continue to push myself regardless. I’m glad I’m not alone. Thank you!
Private Member |
Hi Brenda! I am no expert whatsoever in this matter but I saw a video recently showing people who went for a week without looking at themselves in a mirror. They said it was hard but by the end of the week many hadn’t felt that good about themselves in a long time. Maybe give it a try? Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/dQqaVas-Oms.
And don’t forget: You Are Beautiful! 😀
Private Member |
Hi Z,
I have definitely dealt with BDD in addition to anorexia. Working out helps me to appreciate what my body can do as opposed to how it looks, but it is still a battle that I fight daily. I’m so glad that you began this conversation. I know that there are many people who want and need to lose weight, but there are many others who struggle with needing to gain weight to regain their health. I hope that you will continue to tackle these topics as well. Thank you for being such a positive role model!
Private Member |
i don’t think that it’s really BDD – maybe a mild form. I was a chubby child and young adult, later on always jojo-dieting. I didn’t like myself, I hated my body, I didn’t feel as a woman or girl. Always dressed like a boy because I thought as a boy you can be chubby, that would be ok. I started working out and getting (permanently) rid of my “additional load” when I was 30. Now I’m 34 and I never looked that great, lean, muscular. I’m very sad that I can’t turn back the time and have this body and feelings in my twenties ;(((
Because I’ve been chubby most of my life, I steel fee chubby “inside” myself. When I look in the mirror I’m always surprised that I’m so lean now. Yes, here and there are some spots on my body I don’t like… but all in all I think, I look great. Nevertheless something is wrong. I often feel bad about myself, and it’s really hate then. So I can see that I look good now but inside myself I often feel like my “old” self. I also suffer from depression (that doesn’t go away with exercising…).
Some things get better over time and with some therapy and training – but it takes a lot of time and you have to deal with it your whole life!
Private Member |
This is a random question but I would love to know what do you think about bee pollen?
I’ve read that it’s very beneficial.
I’ve done blood test and I found out that I’m having anemia.
I was looking for some informations about it on google and found an article about bee pollen.
What do you think about it?
Private Member |
I don’t think that it does any good unless you are a believer in esoterism.
Do you suffer from BDD because of your anemia? I’m wondering…
Private Member |
Hi Lisi, no I don’t suffer from BDD 🙂
Private Member |
Definaltey go for the bee pollen. I used to use it. It made me feel much better, and more energized. I have low blood pressure so it did help with the dizziness i get. It is a great source of amino acids, protein, and other minerals that are very good for you. I would take 1 tbsp a day, or mix 1 tbsp into a smothie or salad. It is not good to heat it, it will cook off the enzymes. I found out about it about 10 years ago, my grandma gave me some that her friend brought from a different country. I really want more, and i had some about 2 years ago that i bought myself. Very good for you. I would try a small amount first because i read people could have an allergic reaction. so just be careful and read, and i am just giving you some information from my experience. =)………I do have BDD. I never really called it that. I went through a bad time when i really did not like myself. I have learned to love myself, and accept the life i have, and really love life because it is a great oppourtunity. I do have a lot of anxiety about some aspects of myself, but i learn to just breath and try to take care of the problem. There is more to life than how you look, or some minor flaw. just find something else to take up your time when you feel that little voice getting louder. sometimes it is hard, but just really say leave me alone. or no. im not kidding, you really just have to take control, and dont let those thoughts bring you down, or the negative things people say. Find a positve outlet. That is why i always turned to doing something that gets me moving like exercising, or cleaning!
Private Member |
Thank you Casey 🙂
Private Member |
I’ve definitely suffered from it myself.
I believe one good step is to work to get to the emotional “root” causes of it. I have recently been working a lot using ‘tapping’ to help me with this. With this method, you can think of a tree…
The roots are our limiting beliefs that we have been brought up to believe. e.g. ‘you will be happier if you are skinny’.
The trunk represents the events. e.g. I still remember this boy I really liked when I was 13. He told my friend that I was to fat. but, I wasn’t fat by any means….I just wasn’t a twig like the other girls either.
The branches are the emotions. Shame, guilt, rejection….etc.
And finally, the leaves are the symptoms: obsession with weight.
Another thing I started doing this year, is to really focus on health as opposed to weight. Because I obsess about weight, I am not weighing myself anymore, and I am wearing types of clothing in which I won’t know if I gain weight or not……like dresses and leggings.
That way, I can focus on allowing my body to be the weight that it is happy at! I never skip meals, and I eat meals that are nutrient dense as possible. I don’t count calories…and I have desert…..just not every day.
I love Zuzka’s workouts because they are short in length, yet highly effective. I think that works good for me as well, because I use to spend hours working out and that fed into the obsession.
Private Member |
Hi Nora! Thank you very much for your comments and the positive attitude 🙂 I will definitely check out the video and cross my fingers it helps me! You are beautiful as well!!!
Private Member |
eugene, or, united states
Hi Zuzka! I’m hoping you can respond to me. I believe I have a bit of this disorder. I wish there was a personal email I could ask your opinions and advise. In the past 6 months I have really trimmed out, ( I have always been fit, but not to the level I am now) and I pretty much have a body that looks similar to yours 🙂 I LOVE IT. But of course, there are things about my body I would still like to change, but I’m so happy with the results I’ve been seeing. I feel judgements from people all around me telling me I’m too skinny, etc. For months now, I’ve just thought, they don’t know what fit looks like. But I’m beginning to think that people just look at me like I’m too ripped and trim. Now I am questioning the body I have, which is the one I have always wanted!!! I hate that I care so much about the way my body looks, and what people think of it. Since I have trimmed down, my partner of 6 years recently told me, he thought I was too ripped. He said he wouldn’t mind if I gained 5 pounds. And I care way too much about what he says, and I know its stupid. Do you ever get negative comments? And how do you deal with it? I want to happy in the body that I’ve always wanted, but I seem to be the only one happy with it. I’m either judged by jealous, or ignorant people, or m partner who has a preference. Can you please give me your advice??? You’re my #1 role model, I completely respect you and your opinion 🙂
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
Hey there 🙂 that’s a really interesting question. I do get judged mainly because I’m an online personality and I have my haters 🙂 haha. Rule number one – You can’t trust random people online, no matter what they say. You can trust your loved ones though. The people that have been surrounding you for many years and care about you. I know it must be hurtful to hear a negative comment from your loved one after spending so much effort to look the way you’ve wanted, but maybe you should take another look and try to see what he sees. He’s (she’s) not telling you to gain 30lbs. He’s (she’s) only saying that 5 lbs more would make you even more beautiful. I’m not saying that you should try to make others happy and look the way they want you to, but sometimes we can become the victims of our own mind that plays the fun house mirror game with us and in that case, an honest opinion of a close person can open our eyes. I suggest you to take your photos and compare them with older photos of yourself. Take your measurements and make sure that you’re not underweight (calculate your BMI). If you have the option try to get your body fat % measurements to make sure that you’re not too low. Anything below 15% body fat for a woman is unhealthy. If your stats come back within the healthy range, then it’s all about what makes you happy. If you have a healthy weight and body fat % and love the way you look, you’ll have more confidence and that’s more powerful than looks in my opinion.