My Body dysmorphia story

[@JamiesRobots]

This resonated so deeply with me, such a great video and so raw and honest, well done Vic. I have always been a big boi and always been very self conscious about it. Back in 2015, I had become (looking back now) very thin in a very unhealthy way, between uni and where I was working I was just so busy and got into a routine of not eating or drinking much for a year. It's so weird because I look back and realise how thin I was but I know that I never felt like I was and hadn't even noticed and always felt fat. Like you had said, I always had the same image of myself in my head. There's no exercise and diet to get rid of that image of yourself that have in your head.

[@victoriaalicewarren]

Exactly! It’s a very weird feeling

[@user-xb3cy2tg1w]

genuinely, thank you so much for making this I feel u and I understand. im still young and im going through all of this rn and I just dont know what to do so its comforting knowing people feel what I feel a little too

[@victoriaalicewarren]

Thank you that's very kind of you. Some advice I would give that I've learnt since I've made this video is... It's alright to not feel 100% happy about your body all the time, just don't let it consume you. And never compare yourself if your body doesn't look a certain way in a piece of clothing, Wear what you want to wear and what makes you comfortable and the most confident version of yourself. Lastly the most important thing I've learnt is speak positive of yourself, and as cringey as it sounds give yourself compliments - that has helped me so much and I hope it helps you ❤

[@user-xb3cy2tg1w]

@@victoriaalicewarren thank you so much I really needed this rn I hope youre doing better now, you're genuinely so pretty

[@gurlycash7394]

I self diagnosed myself with this when I was a teenager. I'm 35 black female. I only have 1 mirror in my house. I use it once a day to do my hair and makeup. Look at myself once and try my best to avoid mirrors or my reflection because I would obsessively tear myself apart. I also don't take many pictures because I become obsessed with my imperfections. I don't have many pictures of my son or self. It's crippling

[@victoriaalicewarren]

I do understand how you feel. It's not an easy thing at all. If it helps to know that sometimes I have some great highs about it and think I look the best ever, but sometimes i have days when I'm the opposite and really struggle not to be critical about how I look and comparing myself to what I looked like a few years ago. It's a thing that just doesn't go away over night, and will be something I'm trying to work through. I can't tell you that one thing that works for me will work for you, but I can tell you that there is a comfort in knowing that you're not the only one who goes through this. ♥

[@gurlycash7394]

@@victoriaalicewarren thanks I really needed that. Being a black woman everybody expects me to have big personality and confidence. I'm like what don't I like me. I love everything about myself except for my looks🤦🏿‍♀️ it's nice to see that I'm not the only one who struggles. Thanks

[@maryannegrace]

@@gurlycash7394 as a fellow black women, i totally understand that. Having BDD masked my extroverted character quite a lot. I also spent a long time without mirrors or photos BUT today I can tell you there is ways to relive it. You dont have to suffer forever

[@gurlycash7394]

@@maryannegrace thanks

[@user-cr5sn9gl7r]

🩷🩷💖

[@simocham80]

Can you go to the swimming pool or to the beach wearing a bathing suit? My daughter has body dysmorphia, she hates her stomach and she can't expose herself in a bathing suit.

[@victoriaalicewarren]

If I’m honest, It took me a while to get to the point where I felt comfortable to do that. But it started with small steps, so wearing things that didn’t necessarily show my stomach but still were similar to something I would wear as a bathing suit. So I started off with wearing t-shirts over swim wear then moved to tank tops to then just not wearing anything over the swimwear. But now days there are so many different variations of swimsuits, it would be a lot easier to find something to cover the stomach area. But it does take time and building a positive relationship with your body with positive thoughts and words that you can say to yourself whilst looking at yourself. Aka like giving yourself compliments on what you like about your body and try and shift the mindset from highlight the negative things about your body to the positive things. Hopefully that helps

[@simocham80]

@@victoriaalicewarren ok, thank you!