[sa.l.t]

Hey doods, I've been really dysmorphic about my breasts for about 2 years now, and I haven't left the house without, at the very least, 2 bras on during that time. But ever since I've had DPDR it's been so much worse and it almost physically pains me to see my chest bare.

Is this related to the depersonalisation? I only recently discovered the symptoms of body dysmorphia, never thinking I could have it (but re-evaluated my luck after getting DPDR woohoo), and found that I fit the quota for having it, but I don't have any concrete proof that I do, so I'd rather eliminate any possibilities pertaining to me not having it before I assume.

Do any of you experience symptoms of body dysmorphia? (My DP isn't very extreme and it comes in episodes rather than it being constant, so that's why I thought it could be something else as this dysmorphia IS constant)

 

[Chip1021]

Well, there's no such thing as "concrete proof" of mental disorders. They are basically just collections of thoughts, feelings and behaviors, such that, if you experience those issues, then you "have" the disorder. It's really not any more complicated than that.

You keep using the term "dysmorphia", but can you be a little more specific in how, precisely, you feel about your body?

Most with DP/DR will claim that they feel disconnected from their own sense of self and/or their surroundings, which often includes their own bodies. The way that people seem to use the term "dysmorphia" often seems like in can range from anything from "I don't like this aspect of my body" to "this aspect of my body feels like it doesn't, or shouldn't belong to me." The latter situation has a real relationship with DPDR, though it may not be the same thing. I would also say that DPDR would have to encompass more than just feeling weird about your body. Then again, we're just talking semantics here.

I think a more helpful approach then asking "do I have this or that mental disorder", it to try to ask yourself what, precisely, is my problem, and what, if anything, can be done to ameliorate the issue.

Hope this was somewhat helpful.

 

[Emptyflask]

They are both different but both cause anxiety. Depersonalization is the feeling of not being connected to yourself or your body, as if its not your own. Feeling that a body part is flawed is not the same thing but its definently possible the dpdr could make that feeling worse.

Im curious what you mean by dysmorphic about your breasts though, if you dont mind elaborating. Is it that you wish they were different or that they werent on your body to begin with? Or is it that they just feel alien to you?

 

[sa.l.t]

Well, there's no such thing as "concrete proof" of mental disorders. They are basically just collections of thoughts, feelings and behaviors, such that, if you experience those issues, then you "have" the disorder. It's really not any more complicated than that.

You keep using the term "dysmorphia", but can you be a little more specific in how, precisely, you feel about your body?

Most with DP/DR will claim that they feel disconnected from their own sense of self and/or their surroundings, which often includes their own bodies. The way that people seem to use the term "dysmorphia" often seems like in can range from anything from "I don't like this aspect of my body" to "this aspect of my body feels like it doesn't, or shouldn't belong to me." The latter situation has a real relationship with DPDR, though it may not be the same thing. I would also say that DPDR would have to encompass more than just feeling weird about your body. Then again, we're just talking semantics here.

I think a more helpful approach then asking "do I have this or that mental disorder", it to try to ask yourself what, precisely, is my problem, and what, if anything, can be done to ameliorate the issue.

Hope this was somewhat helpful.

Yeah thanks it was really helpful!

What i mean by dysmorphic about my body is that i feel as if my breasts are wrong to be on my chest/ theyre way too big (even though im only like a c)/ they hang way too low.

In order to 'ameliorate' the issue like you said i only leave the house with either 2 sports bras/ at least 4 normal bras or crop top bras, to try and flatten my chest but obviously its not perfect.

 

[sa.l.t]

They are both different but both cause anxiety. Depersonalization is the feeling of not being connected to yourself or your body, as if its not your own. Feeling that a body part is flawed is not the same thing but its definently possible the dpdr could make that feeling worse.

Im curious what you mean by dysmorphic about your breasts though, if you dont mind elaborating. Is it that you wish they were different or that they werent on your body to begin with? Or is it that they just feel alien to you?

Well personally i just wish i had a flat chest, i feel like they're way too big for my small frame, that they sag and they make my body ugly and unflattering. Im constantly "binding" them with multiple bras and even sleep in the bras because im so uncomfortable otherwise

Thanks for your answer it's helped a lot

 

[Chip1021]

Yeah thanks it was really helpful!

What i mean by dysmorphic about my body is that i feel as if my breasts are wrong to be on my chest/ theyre way too big (even though im only like a c)/ they hang way too low.

In order to 'ameliorate' the issue like you said i only leave the house with either 2 sports bras/ at least 4 normal bras or crop top bras, to try and flatten my chest but obviously its not perfect.

So is it more of a discomfort thing? Is it something that a breast reduction surgery could solve? Or is it that you wish you had more of a chest like a man?

I don't think that your feelings about your breasts have anything to do with DPDR, which isn't to say you aren't dealing with that as well (you haven't mentioned any specific DP/DR issues yet), but I don't think the two things are related.

 

[Emptyflask]

Well personally i just wish i had a flat chest, i feel like they're way too big for my small frame, that they sag and they make my body ugly and unflattering. Im constantly "binding" them with multiple bras and even sleep in the bras because im so uncomfortable otherwise
Thanks for your answer it's helped a lot

No problem.
If it helps, i think most all women feel insecure about their breasts, no matter the size at some point in their lives. It does seem you feel more dysmorphic about it than normal. If you feel they sag too much, you could probably get breast reduction surgery if thats what you feel you need. If you do decide to do so, you may only want to try small reduction first rather than making yourself completely flatchested cause youll have no idea how youll feel in the future. Much like getting a tatoo, the change is permanent.

 

[Saschasascha]

Do you have other obsessive compulsive features? Sounds like a symptom experienced by BDDers (BDD is an obsessive-compulsiver related disorder). Not saying that you have BDD, maybe just tendencies.

Sascha

 

[Phantasm]

I think body issues can sometimes be involved in dissociation or contribute to it, as you are rejecting a part of yourself. I've had body issues since I was young (my big brother used to pick on me about my weight). They can be a part of wider issues to do with feeling flawed or that you aren't reaching an ideal, and disconnecting from the things which trouble or overwhelm us is part and parcel.

 

[sa.l.t]

So is it more of a discomfort thing? Is it something that a breast reduction surgery could solve? Or is it that you wish you had more of a chest like a man?

I don't think that your feelings about your breasts have anything to do with DPDR, which isn't to say you aren't dealing with that as well (you haven't mentioned any specific DP/DR issues yet), but I don't think the two things are related.

I think a breast reduction surgery could help, but that's permanent, expensive and hard to explain to my parents, this dysmorphia isn't crippling enough yet lol. It's not that i want the chest of a man, I'd just much rather be AA than a C.

I'm not sure they are either after reading the responses, I was just wondering and confused.

Thanks!

 

[sa.l.t]

I think body issues can sometimes be involved in dissociation or contribute to it, as you are rejecting a part of yourself. I've had body issues since I was young (my big brother used to pick on me about my weight). They can be a part of wider issues to do with feeling flawed or that you aren't reaching an ideal, and disconnecting from the things which trouble or overwhelm us is part and parcel.

Yeah i can relate to that, but I've never been picked on for the appearance of my breasts, because to everyone else they look normal so I dont think its so much as societal pressure, thanks though. And im sorry your brother was an arse to you, i hope you realise that your body type is beautiful no matter what, as hypocritical as that sounds lol

 

[sa.l.t]

Do you have other obsessive compulsive features? Sounds like a symptom experienced by BDDers (BDD is an obsessive-compulsiver related disorder). Not saying that you have BDD, maybe just tendencies.
Sascha

Using the listed symptoms of helpguide.com i dont really experience any symptoms other than the intrusive thoughts, so its a long shot. Thanks though, im open to any possibilities

 

[sa.l.t]

No problem.
If it helps, i think most all women feel insecure about their breasts, no matter the size at some point in their lives. It does seem you feel more dysmorphic about it than normal. If you feel they sag too much, you could probably get breast reduction surgery if thats what you feel you need. If you do decide to do so, you may only want to try small reduction first rather than making yourself completely flatchested cause youll have no idea how youll feel in the future. Much like getting a tatoo, the change is permanent.

Yeah thanks that does help a bit. I wouldn't be able to get that surgery for years anyway, so i think if im still this dysmorphic about them when i can get it it should be a sign that it might be the right thing to do, i wont be reckless i swear lol

 

[Chip1021]

I think a breast reduction surgery could help, but that's permanent, expensive and hard to explain to my parents, this dysmorphia isn't crippling enough yet lol. It's not that i want the chest of a man, I'd just much rather be AA than a C.

I'm not sure they are either after reading the responses, I was just wondering and confused.

Thanks!

You're welcome. And you sound wise beyond your years. There's much that's confusing about "psychological" issues in the media and in the field of psychology/psychiatry. I think you're smart not to make any major decisions now and wait how you feel in a few years.

Also, for the record I wasn't advocating that you get breast reduction surgery, just trying to clarify what your complaint was about your breasts.