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Body dysmorphia & anxiety

Sashy
Community Member
Hello,
New to the forum. I was hoping there might be others who have experienced body dysmorphia?
I've realised that I've had a form of body dysmorphia most of my life... the main focus being a facial feature. I had surgery 12 years ago, and was happier (but still very self conscious).
Now, I stupidly had surgery again while going through major life changes, thinking it will make everything better. This has opened the floodgates of depression, anxiety and obsessively checking and then panicking and avoiding all reflections.
It's getting worse and I am experiencing panick attacks as soon as I wake up. I regret the surgery so much, but cant change it.
I'm trying to find a practitioner that can help, as I feel I am going insane. I feel like a monster and have lost all confidence and avoid everyone I used to socialise with and struggle at work.
It would be good to know if anyone has experienced this and how can you heal from this?
2 Replies 2

Meowface
Community Member

Hi Sashy sorry to hear you’re experiencing this - I have not had corrective surgery but have had those intense feelings of regret and panic about many things including my body. I am a terrible skin picker when stressed and will often leave myself with open wounds and scars if the picking was bad enough.

I’ve also plucked my eyebrows to nothing and cut my own hair in some awful manic moments. The embarrassment of going to work with bandaids on my face and my emotional pain being so physical feels shameful and hard to deal with.

I know it’s different but those panicked feelings are anxiety and then overthinking is also the anxiety.

If you haven’t already then I would recommend talking to a GP about how you are feeling. They might refer you to a psychologist who could help talk things through and put some coping mechanisms in place.

Sashy
Community Member
Thank you so much. I am exploring all avenues to try and relieve these feelings.
I hope you are doing well now?