Body dysmorphic disorder

[onlywantsone]

I think I'm suffering from this.

I weigh 9 stone 4 - am 5 ft 7

I'm a Next size 8 - yet I look in the mirror and still look to myself like I did when I was 15 stone. I have removed nearly all the mirrors from my house, I cant stand to look any more. I hate clothes and feel so self concious.

Please help me to not feel like this.

Gosh, I would say so, sounds to me like you have an amazing figure.
Is there something else going on in your life that is troubling you?

You need to get some help around this - please go and see your gp.

My GP and I are having a battle right now over the Depo injection. I don't want to talk to him about this.

Every time he sees me he makes me stand on the scales (history of eating disorder in my teens.)

Did you get treatment for your ED? They do tend to stay with you despite apparent recovery. Could you get independent counselling?

YOu need to post this in Health not Style & Beauty I think

Can you switch to a more sympathetic GP? I don't think you should ever feel that you can't talk about a potentially serious health issue with your doctor.

GP should not be forcibly weighing you every visit even with an ED history. 9 stone 4 is an average weight for someone our height (I am an inch shorter than you and in theory should be 9 stone 3) and I also have ED history but have never been forced to get on scales unless I have specifically addressed weight issue with GP. I agree with Marthasmama that EDs do stay with you - although I also believe that many women have a very uneasy relationship with food and their bodies and so labelling isn't always helpful because there are so many grey areas.

Do you feel bloated at all? I know that always makes me feel heavier. If it is bloating, then perhaps looking at diet might help? Do you feel worse around your period/just before your period?

Tbh, if you are removing mirrors it does sound like you are in the throws of a potentially serious body image issue - whether or not that can be categorised as Body Dysmorphia needs to be assessed by a professional.

Go back and insist on seeing a different, more sympathetic GP. Alternatively, I do believe that there is a national ED helpline. Will hunt around for it later and post if I find it.