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Does this sound like body dysmorphic disorder?

4 replies

Wavyhair77 · 30/04/2024 17:23

Or at least the start of it. I'm just unsure as to what is normal and how much other women scrutinise their looks, as maybe it's something that's quite common.
I am 33 years old. I feel that I am attractive, pretty and so on, but I keep noticing flaws.
It seems that cameras distort our faces somewhat, because my nose always looks enormous on selfies and I really don't feel it's that bad IRL.
I have filler to straighten the bump, however I'm considering a surgical nose job when I can afford it.
My lips are a nice shape, but I just wish they were slightly bigger. I tried lip filler once and the pain was unbearable, I could not go through that again.
I dislike the lines around my eyes when I smile, even though I know they're normal.
My bra size is 34D, but I just don't feel like they even look that big.
I'm just under 5'7, but I wish I were an inch taller. My legs are slightly too short for my height, and if I gain weight it makes my thighs look huge so I have to be careful.
My teeth feel slightly yellow but I'm going through a house purchase ATM and I just cannot afford anything.
My skin is horrendous when I have my period, even at this age. I've recently started the Yasmin contraceptive pill which is supposed to help.
I know looks really aren't everything, but I just feel like men are very visual. I do receive compliments and I like things about myself but I feel like there are so many more attractive women.
I know confidence is attractive, but how do people 'learn to love' things. I focus constantly on small lines on my face and scrutinise them, I drink lots of water and use retinol, suncream etc.
Just not sure what could help me feel better?

OP posts:
Patchworksack · 30/04/2024 17:28

Ditching social media and reducing your exposure to advertising designed to make you feel shit about yourself in order to sell you things? Surely there are more interesting things about you than what you look like?

Wavyhair77 · 30/04/2024 17:30

Patchworksack · 30/04/2024 17:28

Ditching social media and reducing your exposure to advertising designed to make you feel shit about yourself in order to sell you things? Surely there are more interesting things about you than what you look like?

I do believe that there are more interesting things about me, but sadly looks do seem to count no matter what people say.
I just feel like men are very visual, even if they aren't considered the best-looking themselves.
I'm also surrounded 23/24 years olds at work who essentially just have to exist and men fall over their feet. I am never asked out.

OP posts:
idontlikealdi · 30/04/2024 18:15

No. It sounds like you are anxious with your looks.

semideponent · 30/04/2024 18:22

It sounds like you break yourself up into bits in order to manage - for instance, bits of the body that are too much or too little. Focusing on the label BDD might be part of this.

Feeling better - I'd suggest finding some support where you can explore what it does (and maybe has) meant to feel whole and all of a piece - seen and recognised as you.

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