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Obsessive thoughts about other people's perceived ugliness

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Obsessive thoughts about other people's perceived ugliness

Postby 1UglyMF » Wed Dec 16, 2015 1:54 pm

I've been a longtime sufferer of BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder), but have been in general behavioral therapy for nearly two years and have seen some improvement with that condition during that time.

However, the BDD that used to be directed against myself (and still is, though I've learned to handle it better, as far as my own physicality is concerned) now seems to have shifted onto other people, i.e. people I come into contact with in my day-to-day life. I've read somewhere that this is also referred to as "BDD by proxy".
Like, I look at someone I'm talking to and suddenly, sooner or later, I'll start noticing their various physical idiosyncracies, some of which could be perceived as "flaws", according to the common consensus on what is considered "physically attractive/desirable" and what isn't commonly considered that way. (which has also been thoroughly studied, etc, I'm sure you guys know what I mean...)

Well, intellectually I am fully aware that the majority of people in fact simply don't look like models or are particularly pretty, nor do they need to be. (Not saying they're unattractive ! Just not model material.)
Still, because of the perfectionism that I've adopted psychologically at some point in just about every area, and because I've always had an obsessive mind, these days, when talking to just about anybody (including brothers and parents, friends, longtime clients and dates) I keep having these awful awful intrusive thoughts like, for example:

"Oooh, looks like you've gained a fair bit of weight recently, haven't you !"
"bad hair day, huh ! Sort out your hair !"
"I've never realized how ugly you actually are."
"Those glasses make you look like an eagle owl. You really have no clue what good style is, huh. ...Loser."
"fat fat fat. .....fat fat. ..you're just too fat."
"hooknose. ugly hooknose."
"Slaphead ! You're a slaphead !"


I suppose you guys get the idea.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not really that hideously arrogant ! (or maybe I am after all, on some subconscious level. But I certainly don't want to be that way !)
It's just that these kinds of intrusive thoughts keep firing off within my brain like a plague and haunt my mind like Peeves, the spiteful ghost from Harry Potter, when I'm trying to have a normal conversation. I feel godawful because of these thoughts (that I don't want to be having !) crossing my mind.
And because they get louder and louder whenever I try to focus on the person I'm talking to (and keep seeing this random "flaw") and because I'm always so afraid that I might spout out any of these horrible thoughts, I've developed this habit of always looking down or trying to avoid direct eye contact with my counterpart. Additionally, I've developed this habit of contorting my mouth downwards and clenching my jaw, I suppose to make sure that I couldn't possibly blurt out any of these horrible thoughts.
Add to this that my mind hardly stays on the subject, so I more or less grope for words, and the picture of total awkwardness is complete. And I can tell from my opposites' reactions that my awkward behavior usually irritates them and doesn't go down well with a lot of people. (Understandably.)
I've even noticed that some of my counterparts seem to momentarily feel like crying (their eyes glaze over and their voice gets shaky) the moment I'm having one of these horrible thoughts, and I suppose a nasty, dark expression on my face must be letting out that I'm momentarily having such a mean thought. (e.g. "gosh, your butt is fat.")

Please believe me, guys, when I say that these thoughts go against everything I consciously believe in, and that I really really don't want to be such an arrogant person. (Nor do I have a right to be, because I'm "average"-looking with plenty of flaws myself.)
I usually berate myself after I get out of any encounter, and often feel like crying for having these mean thoughts that alienate me from my fellow human beings so much. Consciously I prefer "character" in people over flawless looks any second of the day. And consciously I also have a deep dislike against people who prioritize "good looks" over what I see as what really matters, good character and humanity. But I'm having these intrusive thoughts anyhow. With just about anyone. :?

Ok, sorry about this long-winded post and thanks for bearing with my awkward English. (It's not my first language.)
If you guys have any suggestions, or just good old sympathy (in spite of my unsympathetic problem) I would of course appreciate your thoughts and opinions !

(But if you're thinking I should talk to my therapist about all this again, the problem is a) I've only got about two or three sessions left, and b) I've actually (very ashamed to admit it) got this issue with her particularly strongly... :roll: :( )

Wishing you all well !
1UglyMF
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