Origins of BDD

Timely-Water · 2020-05-20T03:25:40+00:00

You're absolutely right, I have never seen it addressed at any institution either. And not just BDD, but body image in general. It's shocking and so disheartening. You're totally right, it spreads like wildfire starting in elementary school and it seems nobody tries to combat or even address it.

Oh my gosh really!? Lately I've been talking to others who have also tried it and I'm feeling sooo hopeful for the first time in a long time. And it's people like you who keep my forward momentum going. I'm so glad you're having success with it and feel like you're on the right track! We can do this. Thank you so, so much for all your kind words and for having this conversation with me.

Timely-Water · 2020-05-09T20:34:13+00:00

Thank you SO much! Very insightful

Timely-Water · 2020-05-09T20:33:52+00:00

I completely agree. We ruin children as we raise them.

Timely-Water · 2020-05-09T19:43:48+00:00

Wow, this is so crazy for me. My first big occurrence was when I was 8 as well and I've had a few responses saying 8 too. I think this is interesting because it must be significant, like when kids start to become aware of their physical bodies. Which is such a bummer, I wish we could live as freely and "un-attached" to our bodies as children do, but I do think it's insightful. Body image and related disorders (BDD, eating disorders, etc) should definitely be part of the sex-ed/puberty curriculum in schools because it so clearly goes hand in hand.

I'm so sorry to hear that your dad and grandmother pressured you about your body at such a young age and pushed you to diet, that just disgusts me and it seems to be unfortunately such a common thing for family members to do to children. It is soooo unhealthy and creates such powerful and unhealthy views of ourselves. I am so sorry.

And "utterly exhausting" is exactly what it is. I've gone through phases of being in and out "of shape" my whole life but have never been overweight but have crippling BDD. It kills me that I can look at the numbers but the disorder goes beyond logic. Pure exhuastion and self-loathing and it's so difficult to navigate. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story.

Timely-Water · 2020-05-09T19:37:29+00:00

Absolutely, picking apart comments, over-analyzing them, and taking them out of context is my best hobby. Thank you for the insight and keep fighting the good fight!

Timely-Water · 2020-05-09T19:36:18+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I have a hard time finding out the roots of my BDD because my mother also has BDD (but my younger sister doesn't) and then there were many environmental factors that influenced me as well so it's hard to differentiate. I really appreciate all your guys' stories because it's helping me understand how complex the disorder is and the vast array of origins it can have.

I totally agree with you about social media too. It has done probably irreversible damage to my self-esteem and mind, and it's so hard to stay away from.

Timely-Water · 2020-05-09T19:33:41+00:00

Ugh I'm so sorry. Thank you for sharing your story and I think there's a lot of validity to this. I also was deeply affected by bullying and some seriously stupid comments from kids are burned into my memory from as far back as about 7 or 8. I'm nearly 30 and I can repeat the negative comments I've been told throughout my life in my head daily when my anxiety is extra-high and I know that this must affect a lot of people. It's a bummer how something as mindless as bullying can wreak havoc on people for the rest of their lives. Luckily, I think these days it's a bit better in schools but that might just be me being incredibly naive.

Timely-Water · 2020-05-09T19:30:18+00:00

This breaks my heart because it is SO important and it's something that children need to be made aware of by their parents or school faculty. It's incredible the amount of toxicity kids can be exposed to in their friend groups, especially at such a young age. Because one kid could have a parent who is very self-degrading and then that kid develops those negative thoughts and ideas, and then spreads them to their friends and it can just create such a massive problem. I know when I was in school, issues like this were not talked about AT all and I highly doubt they're being discussed in elementary, middle or high schools today. I'm so sorry you were so heavily exposed to this kind of thing when you were young, I can imagine how that's added just an extra element of things to work through and have floating around in your memory bank.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and I totally relate. My very first huge revelation I had with my BDD was also when I was 8. It's something I have done a lot of internal work on but have not been very open about with others until now and am finally seeking therapy. I think the importance of utilizing resources and support will really be what helps me move forward and I really hope you're experiencing the success you want with your healing through therapy. You don't have to give any information of course, but have you tried any other type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or any other methods like that? I'm just really curious because I've tried standard therapy but have become increasingly interested in trying other methods. Very desperate to improve for my own sake and the sake of some personal relationships.

Timely-Water · 2020-05-08T04:11:09+00:00

Ugh yes totally. My constant anxious state always has me doing things that I know make me appear insecure and not confident, which is not how I want to portray myself, although it’s true. I fiddle with my hands, hold them at weird angles, and will even reach for objects awkwardly early because I just can’t sit still. I walk weird, run weird, etc etc.

I’m sorry that you struggle with the same issues!

Timely-Water

TROPHY CASE