Posts by irongardener14

Harold Anderson3 said:I’m certainly rooting for you too🙂

best of luck 👋

Thank you. 🙂

Quincy:

I am currently observing several discussions regarding the recent shifts in local economic policy. It appears that many individuals are attempting to find clarity where none exists, often leaning on anecdotal evidence rather than hard data. While I respect the passion displayed by some contributors, one cannot help but notice a certain lack of rigor in the arguments being presented. It is quite an exercise in futility to debate nuances when the fundamental premises are so frequently misunderstood. Still, I shall continue to monitor the situation with my usual level of cautious skepticism. As requested: Just Google it.Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a particularly exhausting psychological hurdle to navigate. It isn’t merely "vanity" or a simple preoccupation with one's appearance; rather, it is an unrelenting, obsessive fixation on perceived flaws that others often cannot even see. One finds themselves trapped in a loop of hyper-fixation, where a minor imperfection becomes a monumental catastrophe in the mind's eye. The mental tax of such a condition is significant. It demands an immense amount of energy to perform the daily rituals of checking, hiding, or avoiding social interactions to mitigate the anxiety caused by these imagined irregularities. While modern psychology offers various therapeutic avenues—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—the process of retraining a brain that insists on seeing distortions is rarely a linear path. It requires a level of patience that many find difficult to muster, especially when dealing with the internal critic that refuses to be silenced.Take a look at how closely that aligns with what you’re experiencing. In principle, it is a disorder where what we perceive in the mirror bears absolutely no relation to our actual physical appearance. There is an abundance of information available online regarding this matter—ranging from formal definitions to specific symptoms and various treatment options. I trust you will find it useful.

I believe I have finally found it. This seems to be the answer. It aligns perfectly with my own behaviors and symptoms. Thank you. 🙂

Jerry Sullivan2 said:So, you’re suggesting that just any random person with a psychology degree is actually qualified to assess someone whose mental state has drifted outside the bounds of normal functioning.

(I mean, if someone is significantly overweight yet remains absolutely convinced they are thin—and can't rationally grasp that they aren't, or even that watching their weight might be a good idea—that isn't exactly a standard perception of reality, I suppose)

Don't you think that role should probably be reserved for, say, a clinical psychologist, or perhaps someone with specialized training in counseling?
Or does finishing a general psychology program automatically make one qualified for that kind of work (and for working with people in general, for that matter)?

I’ve scheduled an appointment with a psychologist who works at a hospital but also maintains a private practice. I am hopeful they will be able to help.

redharbor9 said:Body dysmorphia is a real deal and it can spiral into much worse stuff. You need to hit up a therapist, get some real insight into what's going on (and how bad it actually is), and start tackling it head-on...

Could you perhaps elaborate on what those specific problems might be?

I’ve decided to finally schedule an appointment with a therapist tomorrow; I don't see any other way out of this. I can only hope they provide some actual relief, as the constant irritability and my ongoing frustration regarding my weight are becoming increasingly debilitating, making it nearly impossible to maintain a semblance of a normal life.

Height: 5'6"
Weight: 154 lbs
Bust: 39"
Waist: 33"
Hips: 39"
Glutes: 44.5"
Thigh: 21.5"
Calf: 13.75"
Yet I still find myself convinced that I am underweight, rather than overweight. The mere suggestion of being thin is deeply unsettling to me, often triggering an urge to eat. I find myself constantly hovering in front of the mirror and stepping on the scale five times a day.
@Harold Anderson3, there was once a standard I aimed for, but based on my current weight, I am technically heavier than that ideal—even if I refuse to believe it. It is a frustrating cycle that persists daily, and frankly, it’s starting to make me feel quite aggressive. I am at a loss as to how to proceed.

Common indicators of anorexia include:

• A persistent refusal to maintain an appropriate body weight
• An unrelenting fear of gaining weight
• Significant weight loss driven by the misuse of diuretics, laxatives, or amphetamines, alongside excessive exercise and purging
• Ritualistic eating habits, such as obsessively cutting food into tiny pieces
• Intense discomfort when eating in social settings
• Increasingly secretive behavior

My situation is quite the opposite. This has been my reality for the last year and a half, though I haven't quite figured out the underlying cause. ://

I shall attempt to do so. I am also planning to consult with a psychologist, as I suspect I lack the necessary fortitude to contend with these "maladaptive" thoughts on my own.

Believe me when I say I have descended into such a state of despair that I am starting to question my own mental stability. It isn't even a matter of overeating; I maintain a perfectly normal diet with portions that align with my body's actual needs. Yet, at 70 kg, I look in the mirror and see someone who is far too thin, while my mother insists I am overweight and should watch my weight. I find myself unable to believe her—I am convinced she is being untruthful—because when I face my own reflection, all I see is a person who is underweight.

Why? I honestly can't quite wrap my head around the logic here.

No, and why on earth would I?

Greetings, everyone. Growing up, I was quite underweight; I hovered around 108 pounds until my junior year of high school. During that era, I faced constant commentary from people claiming I looked skeletal or asking if I even bothered to eat. At the time, I simply chose to ignore them. However, some time has passed, and my weight has increased; I am currently 154 pounds at 5'6", yet I still perceive myself as being too thin. The most difficult moments occur when I head out the door and catch my reflection—I still see someone who is underweight. My mother is the only one aware of this struggle, and while she tries to reassure me otherwise, I remain dissatisfied and stuck in this perception of being too frail.🙂 I am at a loss as to how to proceed. I am curious if there are specific types of psychotherapy or similar clinical interventions available to help me dismantle these persistent thoughts...