[brennycat]

I guess I feel as if my appearance is so horrible and ghastly, that sometimes it is honestly the only thing I can think about. I know it sounds stupid...but yeah. It's rather embarassing, and I've been told it's Body Dysmorphid Disorder...but I don't know.
Can any other INFP's relate? ;p

 

[snail]

I have a face like a walrus and a body to match, but I am not terribly bothered by it, certainly not obsessed. One of my pretty friends has Body Dysmorphic Disorder, so I know a little bit about it from my interactions with her. An ugly person can either care or not care. A pretty person can feel ugly or pretty regardless of his/her body. Some people are affected while others aren't, and all I can do is try to comfort those who feel dissatisfied with their appearances.

I think the reason I don't feel troubled by ugliness is that it doesn't mean anything significant about who I am. The fact that others perceive me as ugly says more about them than about me. If anything, it makes me stronger, because I am more likely to stand up against whatever discrimination I face for it, and to assert my right to be treated equally. I feel more confident because of being this way.

 

[HeadHunter241]

Lots of people are uncomfortable with their body image. Me myself, being a son of a powerlifter (and therefore, me being a mesomorph) is extremely uncomfortable. Not wanting a muscular build? Crazy right? Well, some of the more superficial people will never take me seriously because they view me as a "meathead". As if I had any choice. If I asked anyone how to get rid of muscle mass they'd call me crazy.
Not having a body type that agrees with your personality sucks.

 

[Herp]

I feel like I sabotage myself in regular cycles. I've been cutting my own hair poorly every 3 months, regretting it a few seconds after doing it, but doing it again.

I don't know why I do it.

 

[IcarusDreams]

You are wesome just the way you are, so no need to put yourself down. Anybody who won't like you because they think you are not attractive enough for them, is seriously missing out on knowing you. That said, I see no reason why you should consider yourself ANY less than anyone in this world, based on your physical appearance. You are too beautiful a human being to think that you are not pretty enough for your own or any standards.

I can identify with you in one way, but I never had the disorder-I just changed a lot since 2008, including the way I present myself to the world. There's some things in the descriptions that match me, but the most unhealthy ones don't. And judging from you theoretically being enneagram 4, the behaviour you present is not surprising. I worked to change a lot about myself since 2008, because since then I've been freer to become just who I want to be, which is who I really am. In the past, I didn't even try to improve myself, as I frankly didn't care enough. It's a long story, but I just felt that I didn't love myself enough to care about my health and image. It's all the opposite now. Throughout all these last few years since 2008, I really became horrorized at my past image, because it symbolically represented my ties with a past of compromise and being tied to what others think of me, rather than who I should have really been (myself.) I was such a nice man, but really didn't love myself enough, which looking back, sometimes makes me sad. I should have cared much more about who I was, because I really deserved it. But I lived for others for the most part, and didn't care at all that much about myself. I am not particularly obsessive, but I really dislike going outside home "looking bad" (which to me means "not looking like myself"), because I have a newfound value that dictates that I should always take care of myself and my image-this is NOT the disorder you are talking about, though, because I don't feel badly about myself, yet I always find ways to improve my image, for it represents the "new" me that should have been since my childhood, but I never let it be until the last few years.

So, always be proud of yourself, and understand that you are a beautiful person, not only in appearance, but just from the way you are inside-which is MUCH more important, as attractiveness is fleeting, and beauty subjective, but a beautiful heart never loses its shining lustre. Be proud of yourself just as you are right now, even if there are things you rather "improve" somehow. I myself am always looking to improve something about myself and my image, but I look the way I want to look, and I like it very much, whether others like it or not. There's always room for improvement, but the way we are is already sheer awesomeness-no need to feel we don't match up to some artificial standard that IS NOT REAL. Believe you are a beautiful person, and to heck what others think-just be proud about who you really are!

You are a beautiful human being, and you deserve your own love. There's nothing to dislike about yourself, even if you sometimes think that you would rather look differently. Love yourself with all your heart, Ms. @brennycat-the biggest, most caring, and loving friend we can have should be ourselves, and you are more than worthy of your own love and acceptance.

 

[Vivianightime]

You are beautiful. Everyone has their own unique beauty that makes up who they are. Whether physically or mentally, beauty is balanced out in some way or another. Stop obsessing about your physical image, there's more to you than that.

 

[IcarusDreams]

Lots of people are uncomfortable with their body image. Me myself, being a son of a powerlifter (and therefore, me being a mesomorph) is extremely uncomfortable. Not wanting a muscular build? Crazy right? Well, some of the more superficial people will never take me seriously because they view me as a "meathead". As if I had any choice. If I asked anyone how to get rid of muscle mass they'd call me crazy.
Not having a body type that agrees with your personality sucks.

You are who you are, and that beats the four letters of your type. There's no INFP body type, and it's perfectly ok to be muscular if that's who you are! No shame in that. I myself am not very muscular, although I do make a point (a personal value of mine) to go to the gym to improve my health and image-that is not shallowness in my view. And just from your words, I see you are not a shallow human being, so there's no reason to care about whoever deems you a meathead. You are INFP, and yourself-NOT a body type!

 

[543222187]

...i have an inverted triangle body...my shoulders are broad and my body is narrower...my boobs are a or aa32...am i very white...i feel confident sometimes...alone...or if i would be single my whole life...but when i imagine myself with my crush sexually i cry over it and get depressed...and belive i will let him watch all the porn he wants with big boobed women...and then i cry more because i want to satisfy him....but i cannot...

 

[redballoon]

been there, done that. honestly, the way i fixed it was by actually going ahead and doing something about it. changed my diet and exercise. bought lots of useless creams and things. got new clothes. its better than hating yourself in a void. i developed self confidence slowly, and once that got to a certain level, i didn't care about my looks the same way. you come to realize its not so important as you might think it is. i mean, i still take care of myself, but what i mean is that it doesn't hold as much weight in your mind. you start concentrating on other things.

if your dilemma is bone structure or something unchangeable... first off DO NOT cut your face. you will have to learn some other way. some external validation can be helpful here. talk to a friend about it, and see how deluded you are. heck, talk to me about it if you want. but more importantly, you need to realize we are all created individually. we all have some flaws. perfect people do not exist. if your mind has been warped by models, realize that they they have flaws too. you need to accept yourself, and then you need to move on. the second step follows naturally from the first. take it easy girl.

 

[543222187]

..that's what i did...it worked until i imagine myself with my crush...and then i fall apart...

 

[illicit iridescence]

I guess I feel as if my appearance is so horrible and ghastly, that sometimes it is honestly the only thing I can think about. I know it sounds stupid...but yeah. It's rather embarassing, and I've been told it's Body Dysmorphid Disorder...but I don't know.
Can any other INFP's relate? ;p

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is... A Disorder. Usually that means 'mentally not healthy', to the point of having trouble 'functioning normally' in society, that it would be a good thing to see a doctor and have it verified.

"The person complains of a defect in either one feature or several features of their body; or vaguely complains about their general appearance, which causes psychological distress that causes *clinically* significant distress or impairs occupational or social functioning."

 

[PrimrosePopinjay]

First off, if that is you in the picture, then you are ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, and I am not being nice! I used to have mild OCD, and my face was the main target. What helped me to overcome the self-hatred and obsession over my perceived physical abnormalities was actually reading biographies on different "sideshow freaks". These were people that were seen as literal monsters in society, yet most were such incredible people and even geniuses. True beauty is from within, and when you find yourself and truly love yourself for who you are, your light will radiate! And you have a plus- you're an INFP, and INFP naturally radiate purity and innocent goodness! ^_-

In my opinion, you're an AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL person, and to hell with what anyone else (your negative thoughts included) might say! My opinion is two steps below god's, so yeah. Learn to love and embrace yourself! You are YOU- take pride in that!

 

[chip]

Hmm. Yes. Often. I can eat a piece of pizza and down on myself for it, then I see my face the way no one else can and I cry and lock myself away so no one can see me until I put makeup on and hide some of the hideousness.

 

[robespierre]

lol yes I can. I obsess over the condition of my skin and one summer, I was completely depressed (legit not getting out of bed, not being able to look into a mirror without crying sort of thing) be/c I thought I saw a huge dark spot on my cheek -_- However, I find that I only get into this self-loathing state when I have too much free time (but once I get into it, it is extremely hard to get out of it)....try to keep busy and find some self-value that extends beyond external beauty. If you truly do have Body Dysmorphid Disorder, I would really suggest seeking professional help, now while you're young, before it morphs into something else.

 

[Moon_Child]

I'm considered attractive by a majority of people, and yet don't care.

When I was growing up I had a lot of body issues because my mom is obsessed with fashion. She'd unintentionally hurt me and say things like, "You've eaten a lot today, stop it," "You look like a man, go wear those really expensive shoes I bought you." Eh, I was a child, give me my food crazy woman, and f*ck your expensive shoes. I literally went to Thanksgiving dinner that year in Converses. I looked so out of place...

I've been known to wakeup, walk around in my underwear and shirt and go for leftover pizza from yesterday. Sit down on the couch... Food Network baby. I'm such a man sometimes.

When I go out, I take less than 20 min. to get ready, and this includes a shower lawl. I'm allergic to most makeup, so I can only do mineral eyeliner which I make. Lately, though, I've been strutting around with no makeup.

@snail I am most confident when I forget I have a shell. When people remind me of my 'shell,' I actually become self-conscious. I don't place too much importance on my looks... And when people allude to my looks, I feel rather, "Oh yeah, that."

I do, however, buy clothes I think are 'cute.' I change my style a lot... It's rather spontaneous how I go about this too. I walk down and spot something, I buy it. "This style is... fun. I'll strut it for, like, however long I want... Gonna get two more things like this...," and that's how I buy clothes. I'm out of the store within minutes. I don't understand how girls can spend hours and hours... I'd go crazy. I don't know, I get... claustrophobic. I actually start to feel out of breath in stores 0.0


I think what adds to my charm is that I forget about having a shell and I smile more when I do. I like to think of myself as a floating ball of energy rather than something physical. Makes living cooler and shyat.

 

[543222187]

@Moon_Child...ha...i like going braless with a drapy loose tshirt and pj bottoms...

 

[Moon_Child]

@Moon_Child...ha...i like going braless with a drapy loose tshirt and pj bottoms...

Yes!

I've been guilty of going braless and commando, even in public. Clothes irks me. I enjoy skintight, stretchy clothes when it comes to the 'outer world' because I feel naked in them. I'm kinda really skinny, so it helps keep me warm too; I get really cold really fast.

 

[543222187]

...I have a worse body image than you...but it took me a long time to accept bras..i thought they restricted my movement...i like wearing loose clothing in public because i like how it feels...but to look nice a loose top with skinny jeans

 

[Moon_Child]

...I have a worse body image than you...but it took me a long time to accept bras..i thought they restricted my movement...i like wearing loose clothing in public because i like how it feels...but to look nice a loose top with skinny jeans

Yeah, I like that too actually. I've been trying to lay off the skintight black shirts... Starting to look like an Addams Family member. My closet looks like a... rent-out for funerals, kinda (been introducing patterns and colors lately). Loose tops are nice.

 

[perfectcircle]

holy shit, I seriously saw the first post by the OP and scrolled down to type "been there done that"
and whilst passing @redballoon 's post saw my OWN WORDS.

There were tons of reasons I felt the way I did but it was a phase and I passed out the other end of it. It does not matter the way I thought it did- I was not as ugly as I thought I was, and I didn't need to be beautiful as much as I thought I did. So I can definitely relate; I do not think I had body dysmoprhic disorder. My vision of myself was not distorted. I saw myself and I saw all my flaws and they disgusted me, because i had elite standards I could not live up to. I wanted to be perfectly beautiful to make up for all the flaws I felt in myself, I think, and because I feared without being beautiful no one would ever love me. the impertaiveness with which I focused on this and needed to be beautiful was something others could not understand and alientated many around me. But- what can I say? I can relate, and I can also feel kind of oddly sentimentally pitiful for my past self, who spent so many years struggling over something that some years later would not even matter. Who told herself, "my future is meaningless if I can not be beautiful" and cried over it, and then the future is overall pretty good. What a lot of wasted conviction. I am sure you will come out the other end; I think it is normal to feel this way for many girls and even some boys, but I think it is only normal if it remains a phase, a very painful phase, but one we must sort though.