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fucking lovely... on top of everything else, my BP is skyrocketing. On meds, it's 143/97. I'm taking blood pressure medication and STILL have a dangerously high BP.
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Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (previously known as Dysmorphophobia and sometimes referred to as Body dysmorphia) (also known as "Dysmorphic syndrome," and "Dysmorphophobia") is a psychiatric disorder in which the affected person is excessively concerned about and preoccupied by an imagined or minor defect in their physical features. The sufferer may complain of several specific features or a single feature, or a vague feature or general appearance, causing psychological distress that impairs occupational and/or social functioning, sometimes to the point of complete social isolation. It is estimated that 12% of the world's population meet all the diagnostic criteria for BDD.
Individuals with very obvious and immediately-noticeable defects should not be diagnosed with BDD, however culture and clinician bias may play a significant part in the subjectivity behind determining what physical appearance is considered 'normal' and in whom the disorder is diagnosed. BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects, linking it, among psychologists, to the obsessivecompulsive spectrum disorders. The exact cause or causes of BDD is unknown, but most clinicians believe it to be a complex combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.
Onset of symptoms generally occurs in adolescence or early adulthood, although cases of BDD onset in children and older adults is not unknown. BDD is often misunderstood to affect mostly women, however research shows that it affects men and women equally. The disorder is linked to significantly diminished quality of life and co-morbid major depressive disorder and social phobia. With a completed-suicide rate more than double than that of major depression, and a suicidal ideation rate of around 80%, BDD is considered a major risk factor for suicide. A person with the disorder may be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both. Research has shown cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to be effective in treating BDD. BDD is a chronic illness and symptoms are likely to persist, or worsen, if left untreated.
fuuuuuuuuuck....
This totally scares me, but I'm happy to know that there's something I can do about it. Since I was a teenager, I've felt totally out of place. I can be completely alone in a crowd of thousands. I've never even tried to dance, because i'm convinced that people will stare at me and judge me. I feel like that more often than not. I know logically that it's not true, but that doesn't make it any less real to me.
Almost 20 years this has been my life. I want so very much to live something resembling a normal life. I'm planning on starting therapy ASAP. Calling in on Monday to make my first appointment. My hope and prayer is that between therapy and medications, I can break out of this, and make some friends offline.
fucking lovely... on top of everything else, my BP is skyrocketing. On meds, it's 143/97. I'm taking blood pressure medication and STILL have a dangerously high BP.
***********************************END EDIT*************************************
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (previously known as Dysmorphophobia and sometimes referred to as Body dysmorphia) (also known as "Dysmorphic syndrome," and "Dysmorphophobia") is a psychiatric disorder in which the affected person is excessively concerned about and preoccupied by an imagined or minor defect in their physical features. The sufferer may complain of several specific features or a single feature, or a vague feature or general appearance, causing psychological distress that impairs occupational and/or social functioning, sometimes to the point of complete social isolation. It is estimated that 12% of the world's population meet all the diagnostic criteria for BDD.
Individuals with very obvious and immediately-noticeable defects should not be diagnosed with BDD, however culture and clinician bias may play a significant part in the subjectivity behind determining what physical appearance is considered 'normal' and in whom the disorder is diagnosed. BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects, linking it, among psychologists, to the obsessivecompulsive spectrum disorders. The exact cause or causes of BDD is unknown, but most clinicians believe it to be a complex combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.
Onset of symptoms generally occurs in adolescence or early adulthood, although cases of BDD onset in children and older adults is not unknown. BDD is often misunderstood to affect mostly women, however research shows that it affects men and women equally. The disorder is linked to significantly diminished quality of life and co-morbid major depressive disorder and social phobia. With a completed-suicide rate more than double than that of major depression, and a suicidal ideation rate of around 80%, BDD is considered a major risk factor for suicide. A person with the disorder may be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both. Research has shown cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to be effective in treating BDD. BDD is a chronic illness and symptoms are likely to persist, or worsen, if left untreated.
fuuuuuuuuuck....
This totally scares me, but I'm happy to know that there's something I can do about it. Since I was a teenager, I've felt totally out of place. I can be completely alone in a crowd of thousands. I've never even tried to dance, because i'm convinced that people will stare at me and judge me. I feel like that more often than not. I know logically that it's not true, but that doesn't make it any less real to me.
Almost 20 years this has been my life. I want so very much to live something resembling a normal life. I'm planning on starting therapy ASAP. Calling in on Monday to make my first appointment. My hope and prayer is that between therapy and medications, I can break out of this, and make some friends offline.
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enjoy your week