Body Dysmorphic Disorder Lion

New advice blog

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:42:44 +0000

Hi, me and my friend have set up an advice blog for mental health problems (both of us suffer from these so we are able to offer our perspective on things) I would really appreciate it if you submitted this onto your blog :)

http://mh-problems.tumblr.com/

Re: Fear of Flying

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:20:21 +0000

I first flew when I was 16 (about 6 years ago) and was terrified. I sobbed like a giant baby through security. I was prescribed anxiety pills (don’t remember which kind) which I took once I was seated on the plane— I was zonked out about 15 minutes later, long before take-off! I was fully conscious but not really… there, if that makes sense. I did totally fine and that really took the edge of terror off of the whole experience since then.

I think meds for first timers is definitely a great way to reduce future anxiety. Once you have the experience completely relaxed and nothing goes wrong, it’s a lot easier down the line. If I go a long while (6 or more months) without flying my anxiety builds again, but it’s much more manageable. I just control my breathing, and watch and listen carefully for any signs of other people or the flight staff looking distressed, etc. If everyone’s fine, I know I’m just freaking myself out. Once we’re past take-off and level off at cruising altitude, I’m usually fine— unless there’s major turbulence, wherein I usually listen to some rock on my iPod and bounce my legs around like I’m dancing so I don’t feel it so much, and/or repeat “It’s just bumps in the road” in my head like a mantra.

I’ve taken about 20 separate flights so far, all told, and will be adding 4 more to that tally in the next week or so. You can do it!!

I have been prescribed Lexotan for fear of flying and tried it just a few minutes ago. I took a...

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:21:55 +0000

I have been prescribed Lexotan for fear of flying and tried it just a few minutes ago. I took a quarter of a 3mg tablet. Not having a very strong effect so far. I have no experience with anxiety meds, anyone got any advice? x

Follow my personal please, I have like no followers, tragic. I always follow back and give BDD...

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 14:18:29 +0100

Follow my personal please, I have like no followers, tragic. I always follow back and give BDD advice and shiz. x

http://a-little-taller.tumblr.com

I have a new personal blog if you guys wanna follow. :) http://a-little-taller.tumblr.com

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 23:53:01 +0100

I have a new personal blog if you guys wanna follow. :)

http://a-little-taller.tumblr.com

ERMAGHERD THE GUY I’M CRAZY ABOUT JUST CHATTED TO ME ONLINE FOR 2 HOURS LATE AT NIGHT AND HE...

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:48:08 +0100

ERMAGHERD

THE GUY I’M CRAZY ABOUT JUST CHATTED TO ME ONLINE FOR 2 HOURS

LATE AT NIGHT

AND HE STARTED IT

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A ROW

AND HE SAID WE SHOULD GO OUT SOON

OH SWEET JESUS I CAN’T BREATHE

HOLD ME

(I’m playing it cool as you can tell)

oh no! please dont hurt yourself anymore! depression is an evil bitch that can be hard to defeat but you can do it -- i know!

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:02:59 +0100

Thank you! Yeah, I keep thinking if I can go 3 years without it, one relapse isn’t the end of the world. :) xxx

Cutting relapse after 3 years and 2 months. Oh hai depression, we’re doing this again?...

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:56:43 +0100

Cutting relapse after 3 years and 2 months. Oh hai depression, we’re doing this again? That’s great.

Day Zero.

not because I can't stand the thought of being looked at and thought of as hideous, i'm kind of resigned to that now, but because I can't even be bothered to get dressed or put make up on anymore or really do anything because I don't see the point, i'll just be ugly anyway. if any of this isn't anon please don't publish it

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:41:14 +0100

I can't even be bothered to try and make myself look good anymore? And it feels wierd because it's actually reduced some of my anxiety in terms of getting ready if I have to, before I got upset everytime I had to leave the house but now I only get in such a state for things where I know there is pressure to look good or if there are going to be people I don't know there that I have to socialise with. But I don't feel any less ugly, if anything I am much more so because I have basically turned

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:38:07 +0100

love ya blog but hate ya theme

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:37:53 +0100

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS BLOG. I am constantly checking my reflection in the mirror seeing if I look presentable which people must interpret as vain. My BDD gets a lot worse when I'm severely depressed. Sometimes I'll stare in the x40 magnifying mirror for an hour looking at how horrific my skin/acne scars are and how yellow my teeth are.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:37:48 +0100

Seeing the guy I’m crazy about next week. Having heart palpitations and feeling nauseous...

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 01:42:29 +0100

Seeing the guy I’m crazy about next week. Having heart palpitations and feeling nauseous already. If this keeps up all week I will die.

Does he still like me? WHAT’S THE FUCKIN’ DEAL?

All nerves and worries aside, YAY!

Hey! We're a blog who's goal is to educate the general population and help reduce stigma on mental health issues. We were wondering if you'd be willing to share us with your followers to help get the word out. Thank you!

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:23:46 +0100

I made a Mental Health Memes fb page if you want to check it out please feel free to share, wish it had a queue option!

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:23:35 +0100

I'm 18 years old and I've had BDD for 2 years though I've never seen a professional about it. I don't tell people because they will ridicule me (our of ignorance?) or think that I'm making it up for attention. Trying to recover on my own but there has been no substantial progress.

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:21:18 +0100

See, this is why having BDD is so shit, it’s so easily mistaken for pure attention-seeking. Recovering alone is really, really hard, or so I’ve heard. Best to see a doctor- you’re 18 now so you’ll have full patient confidentiality, they can’t even tell your parents- and they can advise you from there. Good luck. :) xx

Good job on the recovery, I'm very happy for you. :)

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:18:39 +0100

Thanks, you’re so sweet! :) x

tell us your bdd story?

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 13:32:19 +0100

Well, I was bullied in primary school and I’m pretty sure that’s the main reason my BDD developed, ever since the bullying I’ve felt different and unusual and wrong which made me think I must look different and unusual and wrong too.

My symptoms began when I was about 14. I’d spend hours trying to get my hair “just right” and changing my clothes a million times, and even at that age, I’d sort of “accepted” that I’d never find love and I would always be “different”. It wasn’t until I developed teen depression at 16/17 that I went to therapy. The depression made my BDD a whole lot worse, it’s hard to remember anything else from that time because I was so caught up in the horrors of it. I’d go to school thinking I looked okay, and by the end of the day I’d have “transformed” into this hideous beast, and would just lie on my bed and cry. I became totally withdrawn - I started skipping class because I didn’t want people looking at me. I had to check my reflection every few minutes. I punished myself with self-harm. I just wanted to be alone all the time, I felt like a monster who had to live in a cave. I couldn’t function at all- I was in my final year of school, and it was so scary not being able to concentrate on studying for my final exams. All I could think about was the state of my face. Ugh. MOVING ON.

My therapist never mentioned BDD to me, but she talked a lot about my ‘distortions’ and inability to see what was real. To be honest, like many mental health professionals, I don’t think she’d heard of BDD. It was my boyfriend at the time who sent me links to websites about BDD, saying that it sounded like what I was dealing with, and while I didn’t want to admit it at first, it was really obvious that I had it.

I’m 20 now and in university, and I’m a lot better. I see myself as an average-looking woman now, who looks good some days and not-so-good on other days, just like anyone else. I learnt to differentiate, in my own way, between what was real and what wasn’t. It takes work, and I still have bad days, but when that happens I avoid the mirror until it passes. I can resist my checking compulsions now, and I can accept the good things that my friends say about me, even if I don’t see myself in the same way. I’m so happy to have recovered, and I know you can all do it too. :)

Wow, long answer. :P Anyone else wanna share their story? x

Sorry I haven’t been active in so long! Got a new job and I’m working non-stop, but have...

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 13:01:53 +0100

Sorry I haven’t been active in so long! Got a new job and I’m working non-stop, but have 3 days off now so expect more memes. :)

Photo

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 13:00:58 +0100