I know I probably am being unreasonable as I'm not a medical professional and I know that body dysmorphia is a real thing.
However, an acquaintance told me today she has been diagnosed with body dysmorphia (from a 'specialist') and 'that's why her self esteem is so low and she hates looking in the mirror'.
We talked a little more and she said that what other people see and what she sees doesn't match up and she needs counselling to see she's not some 'huge blob' (her words!!!)
She is only about 5ft3 and over 20st so she is morbidly obese. I know her weight roughly as a few years ago we were in the same weightloss group and we were around the same weight/height back then.
She carried on to say she needs to build her self esteem and see a therapist to 'align who she is inside with what she sees outside'
I'm just totally confused in all honesty.
I thought body dysmorphia was when you are 10st but think you look 16st so starve yourself.
Or you think you have a monstrous face when you have a small scar etc...
She seems to think that her brain is telling her she is over weight and distorting her reality but she is seriously overweight?
This is NOT a thread about her being obese and bringing her down for it. I spent many years at 18stone myself and I know how difficult it is.
But I don't understand the diagnosis at all in this context?
As she explained it, it was all about weight. No other issues that may cause dysmorphia were mentioned.
I will be seeing her again on Friday and I'm hoping to be educated because I was just confused so struggled to carry the conversation.