Body Dysmorphic Disorder

[Beyond_Words]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, but I'm sending this message out to any mods or administrators of this sight who may happen to read it. I have a request: can a specific Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) forum be added to the other categories here? I know that other BDD sufferers like myself sometimes feel a little lost when visiting forums like this one, because nobody is exactly sure where BDD fits in in the whole scheme of mental disorders.

In many studies, in has been closely linked with OCD. However, there are still a sufficient number of differences between these two disorders (and between BDD and anything else, e.g. Eating Disorders, or Social Phobia) to make us feel like we don't quite belong anywhere. I'm pretty sure this will be a feeling echoed by many BDD sufferers. Other studies definitely class it as some sort of anxiety disorder - and there's no doubt anxiety plays a major role in it - so I feel I am generally in the right place here, but I would take comfort in being able to talk with others who know exactly where I'm coming from.

For example, if I ask a question in the main chatroom like "Does anybody else here have BDD?", you can guarantee that at least 2-3 people will immediately come back with the question "What's BDD?"; and so my first task is always to try to explain it to people (difficult enough in itself), after which it's usual to find that a couple of people have seen it as the topic on chat shows (such as Opera or Montel) but without any personal experience of this disorder they cannot really understand what it is from the inside. That's my belief, anyway.

Sorry for the long post, it's just that the main sight I used to use - BDDCentral - was closed down some months ago, and this has left myself (and I assume many others) with a bit of a yawning hole in their lives. It was a great support system while it lasted.


Regards,

Beyond_Words

[Cuchculan]

If I am to be honest, your mention of the disorder was the very first time I have heard the disorder mentioned here on these forums. It would take a lot more members with the disorder to raise their hands before the owner of the site would even consider creating a special section for the disorder. Hence we have these other areas. When posts don't fit in elsewhere. Another option could be to start your own group. You can do from the group link up at the top of the forum. Then let other members know you have started the group. They we can see if others have the condition. There is also blogging options. You can educate others on the disorder via the blog option. Try the group option first. As other members can join your group. Like setting up a little community of people with a certain disorder. It is a great option that hardly anybody ever uses. One worth looking at.