Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questions

[shanadian]

This isn't exactly about an eating disorder, but I thought I'd get the best answers in this forum.

I don't think I'm extremely overweight, but I see myself as fat most of the time and I want to lose weight.

The thing is, people tell me I'm thin already. They talk like I don't need to lose any weight.

I'm probably being a hypochondriac, but I'm afraid that I have BDD. I want to know more about what it's like to have it so I can decide whether to ask my counselor about it.

What I know about BDD, at least the type I think I might have, is that people see themselves as overweight when they're not. They honestly see a fat person in the mirror, even if they're very thin.

I don't know much else so my questions might be stupid/ignorant.

I'm wondering how far the failure to perceive reality goes. I imagine someone who feels fat would get bigger clothes, but if they're thin, their clothes would be baggy. Are people with BDD able to see the bagginess, or do they see/feel their clothes fitting their bodies or being tight?

When they step on a scale, do they see the number that actually comes up (which is probably a really low number), or do they see a high number, a number that matches what they think they look like?

If someone draws a picture of them or takes a photo, do they see the real picture of them being thin or average weight, or do they see a bigger person? (I'm thinking of asking a friend to draw a picture of me so I can see what they see, but if I do have BDD and the answer to this question is the latter, I guess it wouldn't help.)

[Angel]

There's a bit more to BDD than that. Seeing yourself as bigger than you are may be a sign of underlying issues that have to do with self image, but it doesn't necessarily mean BDD. Those with BDD are more obsessed with certain physical flaws they may "find." Here is a bit of information on BDD. If you feel as though the symptoms apply to you, it's always best to talk to a doctor who can help you figure out if you have anything to be concerned about. The most important thing to remember is not to self diagnose.

As far as I know, there is nothing to suggest that those with BDD hallucinate and imagine up numbers on the scale. Even while I was suffering from anorexia nervosa, I never imagined numbers to appear on the scale. There may be some denial, but that is different than actually imagining things of the sort.

[shanadian]

I read what you linked to and I think there's probably nothing seriously wrong with me. I feel a lot better now. Thank you.

[Heartlines.]

Because the user clearly feels better, and more at ease, I'm going to go ahead and close this.

Shannon, if you have any more questions, feel free to create a new thread, or PM me to open this thread again