Body Dismorphic Disorder in autistics

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BraveMurderDay
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03 Feb 2009, 5:18 am

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.

Quoted from wikipedia, but as far as I know that is accurate. The thing with me is I do know my head and facial features are quite deviant from the average - but it's a gray area as some people seem to key on it right away and others do not seem to notice, and although I have yet to consult a doctor, I'm sure I would not get a universal answer.

From reading forums I gather it varies on the autistic spectrum - some people's facial appearance allows them to come across as completely normal whereas others can be mistakenly thought of as stoned or "slow", and you could probably make a list.

Well, I know the symptoms well enough to know the type of crippling depression, fixation, avoidance and self-hatred are what I've been going through for the last four years; it's a double whammy on top of being on the autistic spectrum.

Does anyone have feedback or experiences to share so I can talk about this with someone?



BraveMurderDay
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03 Feb 2009, 5:42 am

No, I'm sure I do not have this condition. My face and bones are too abnormal, yet somehow I lived late into my teens before I even picked up on it fully. Every time I would see a photograph of myself where I looked handicapped I would justify it by shaming myself, told myself I must not have been looking into the camera properly. Unbelievable, this is just sickening. So what are people who do look hideous supposed to do for treatment when they suffer the symptoms of the dysmorphic disorder?



Danielismyname
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03 Feb 2009, 5:55 am

I look normal enough, though I was called slow and on drugs through most of my adolescent life.

The above was and is due to my lack of expressions, and my slow movement and speech. As far as I'm aware, unless there's another disorder present, people with ASDs look like anyone else if no nonverbal cues are being expressed.



beef_bourito
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03 Feb 2009, 4:31 pm

i have some mild symptoms of BDD but those are mostly because i'm in a sport with weight classes and the desire to get under a certain weight has affected me in certain ways.

i'm really not sure what you can do other than try to come to terms with it and accept that you're different, which can be very difficult.



RoisinDubh
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03 Feb 2009, 5:30 pm

I was dx'ed with BDD, and it's not too surprising. I'm currently a 5'9-5'10 US size 2/4, but see myself as I was at about 50lbs heavier....I rarely even recognise myself in photographs.



Heartcooksbrain
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03 Feb 2009, 6:07 pm

beef_bourito wrote:
i have some mild symptoms of BDD but those are mostly because i'm in a sport with weight classes and the desire to get under a certain weight has affected me in certain ways.

i'm really not sure what you can do other than try to come to terms with it and accept that you're different, which can be very difficult.
I'm in the same boat. There may be minor adjustments you can do too change, but overall I find coming to terms with it is best if there's nothing else you can do.