Come on, folks. Really. I wasn’t making a joke of anyone’s problems. I was sharing a bit about how *I* feel. As with most things in life, these things fall along a continuum. Some people have, indeed, been hospitalized because of eating disorders. Some haven’t. Some have died from them. Some are still living. I don’t really make it a habit to compare myself against others; because, with everything, someone’s always got it better than you. And, someone has it worse. Life goes on.

It has nothing to do with fatphobia. In fact, techinically, you could be fat and have BDD. I have been diagnosed, but my weight is not a major concern of mine. However, I have tried to cut my own nose off with a paring knife.

I am recovering, but everyday I wake up and somehow find the will power to not hurt myself, to not die, to go to work despite the fact that I often feel like I don’t look human. Please do not cheapen that struggle with your comments.

BDD is not mere fatphobia, it is devestating. Just as people who are a little kooky are not considered schizophrenic, people who are afraid of gainning a pound or two don’t automatically have BDD.

Do your research.

You are misleading alot of people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ8FzVEDEuk

Beucase this video is short, it does not show you that people go through this everyday for years until they are able to find help. They are too scared to say anything in fear of sounding vain. They are in a situation where their life is lipping away in front of the mirror, in obessive thoughts and constant depression.

Body image is something everyone goes through therefore body image is not particularly bdd related. This is similar to thinking you are ugly and nothing can redeem you, no amount of kisses, hugs, comments..nothing makes you feel better. It is coupled with depression and anxiety. People can’t hold jobs or interact socially. They do not leave their homes unless necessary. These are the people you see in the bathroom mirror everytime you walk in. They feel as if someone is going to think they are too ugly. It’s not your game, it’s not your bdd, it’s not your play title. I’m sick of mental illness being a part of pop culture, some cutesy title you can give yourself. It’s not. It’s life-stunting and life-THREATENING.

Pick up a DSM-IV(R).

I know sufferers of this disorder. They cannot leave their homes, have prolonged rituals of “mirror checking” make up applying” etc similar to that of obsessive compulsive disorder. Simply not wanting to be fat and comparing yourself to other women is NORMAL. Having severe panic attacks or major depressice episodes over it isn’t.

Only 1-2% of the population suffers from this disorder, not “MANY” women. This is a gross exaggeration and you are misleading alot of people.

This is a serious, life-altering and life-stunting condition. It’s not just a title you can throw around. It’s not a game. 80% of people with BDD are at a suicide risk. So it’s not a play thing. If you are weight concious- that’s NORMAL. If you cannot leave your house or have panic epsiodes where you cannot breathe and go through obsessive rituals you may have BDD. If you are starving yourself or throwing up, you have anorexia or bulemia.

We all have a tendency to read things and apply them to us because in a book you cannot see a real life example. For example, some people may think they are schizohreic because they “retreat away from people”, but when tey see that this means a person is completely motionless and repeats one movement all day long, they abandon that theory.

Please take time to read up on disorders.

THIS DESTROYS PEOPLES LIVES, MANY PEOPLE WITH IT WILL ATTEMPT SUICDE, HOSPITLIZATION IS NOT UNCOMMON…..

i went into hospital with a blanket over my head, i dont have my picture taken, i dont like leaving my house….

going to the gym to achieve your “ideal” body has NOTHING to do with bdd.

between one percent and two percent of the population have it, i am a sufferer-ive been to a mental hospital because of this..

and you have made it sound like a joke and that everyone has it.

thank you.

as if it didnt hurt enough….

I’m a guy.. honest.. I really am and I don’t think BDD is for women only!
I am very “aware” of my body.. go to the gym, play lots of sports and all for what? Fitness? No, fitness is just an excuse, I just want to look good. Which inturn makes me feel good.
I’m obsessive over a six pack, and i’m almost there.. and that almost is a killer!!!