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Depressed and Stressed

A personal story in the experience: I Have Body Dysmorphic Disorder
I struggle everyday to walk out of my house. I feel ugly. I have had  suicidal thoughts, often. I, recently, was diagnosed with major depression which I believe is a branch of the panic disorder/generalized anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder. I have not been diagnosed with bdd yet by a doctor, but it doesn't take a genius to realize that there is something not right about how I feel about my overall appearance. I have several areas of body that I focus on the most including my hair, skin, stomach, eyes, nose, lips, and forehead. I spend a lot of time in the mirror focusing on all of the imperfections of my hair and generally wear it up to avoid drawing attention to myself during the day, because my high school students notice everything. That makes it even more hard when they jokingly make comments about my hair, like "Why don't you ever wear your hear down?" and when I do..."It makes your face look too square."...All of those comments cloud my mind, and the least little bit of judgment sends me into a downward spiral. If the wind blows my hair or my forehead is exposed in any way (the reason I do not have my hair done anymore), I have a lot of anxiety/panic/worthless/ugly feelings. I feel that one of my eyes is larger than the other, and when I look in the mirror I feel like the larger eye looks to the left and they are too droopy making me look tired and even uglier. My nose has a bump on it. My profile is horrible, even though I think my left side is better than my right. I avoid sitting with my right side exposed in restaurants, and I also avoid bright lights beaming down above me. I will move to another table, because it makes me feel like all of my imperfections are showing. This is just a little insight into the world that I face every day. It is terrible and keeps me in constant worry and feeling susceptible to judgment 24/7. I am paranoid, have suicidal thoughts, depressed, anxious, and worrysome on a constant basis. My doctor recommended me to a psychiatrist, so I should be visiting this person soon...should be interesting...I hope he can help, because I don't know what I will do otherwise. I feel crazy. It is hard for me to do my job, and I have lost interest in so many things that I used to love doing...it is heart-wrenching. I feel trapped, and I want to get out of this and start enjoying life again! I am tired of my image, anxiety, and depression controlling my life!!!!!!! I want out!

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Posted Sep 7th, 2009 at 10:01PM
i understand
     
Posted Sep 12th, 2009 at 3:20AM
I know exactly how you feel.
You are really pretty so I wish you didn't see yourself the way you do. I know me saying that probably won't help you but I still had to throw it out there. =)
     
Feeling confused
Posted Sep 16th, 2009 at 10:51PM
I relate to where you are coming from. I hate when the wind messes up my hair and it causes a lot of anxiety for me too I understand and relate to how frustrating this whole way of living and thinking is and I often times feel trapped myself. I hope therapy helps and things will start looking up soon.
     
Posted Oct 1st, 2009 at 8:13PM
I can really understand where your coming from. I deal with how you feel everyday. I have BDD, Social Anxiety, Depression, and OCD. I just want you to know that you are very pretty and all those people who tell you stuff about the way you look- there all jerks. I know your probably thinking I'm crazy but I just hope you get well. Just know your not alone.
     
Posted Oct 4th, 2009 at 9:01AM
Thank you all so much for your support. I just recently went into a behavioral health center/ in-patient hospitialization for depression and suicidal and mutilation thoughts for a week. I never attempted anything, but I am glad that I went to get help. I have never been happier. They got me on the correct meds and gave me phenomenal coping skills through therapy to help me through "the real world". It's still a lot of hard work that I have to do on a daily basis, but I realize I am strong and you all are as well! You just have to "re-train your brain"...another thing that they taught me in therapy. :) I have been out for about a week now and have been going to the Outpatient Program to receive therapy Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This week will be my last week. I also have a meeting with a therapist on Tuesday to talk about BDD/ body image. I go back to work on Oct. 12th, which is a main source of my stress...not my students...I love them to death...but the principal, who is a *****. That's the nicest way I can put it. I'm sure you guys can relate to that to. I set positive goals for my self every day when I wake up, and I take it one day at a time. Thank you guys for all of your support, again...I wish you all well and hope to hear from you soon! Much love, Jennifer
     
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Story Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina (SC), United States (USA)

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