will i “outgrow” body dysmorphia?

Question

my therapist told me i will “outgrow” this “phase” after my diagnosis with body dysmorphia a year ago. He doesn’t think it’s serious because my body dysmorphia is centred around my face whereas in most cases it causes anorexia and “body” issues. i can’t describe the mental exhaustion that’s going on with me, if i leave my house i have a panic attack and come home! i had to switch to permanent online and everyone around me thinks i’m over exaggerating but they don’t get it. people think it’s an attention thing because they apparently can’t see what i see when i look in the mirror. this doesn’t feel like a phase at all. sorry i’m using this to vent you can ignore this if you want but in frustrated because nobody takes me seriously at all. especially not my mum she refuses to believe my diagnosis because she doesn’t understand how her children can have bad mental health when they havnt been through trauma! so yeah that’s great!! i just hate that i don’t get taken seriously

✟ death ship crow † ⚔ · Answer

not normally, you usually need treatment for it.

Lili · Answer

We can't predict the future and have no way to know whether you will "outgrow" or recover from this disorder.  Many people do eventually come to terms with those aspects of their bodies and faces that distress them, with age and maturity, but body dysmorphia is a more serious problem.  I think it's a bit cavalier to expect that someone will simply "outgrow" it.

What treatment is your therapist providing?  If you're  just sitting around talking about the problem, that is not treatment.  Moreover, you've obviously developed agoraphobia along with dysmorphia, and that is ALSO serious.  It, too, must be treated.

Ignore your mother.  Some people will simply never "get" mental illness.  However, I think you need to have some much more serious and pointed conversations with your therapist than you apparently have had to date.  I realize the NHS isn't always very helpful when it comes to switching therapists. (I'm an American, but even I know that.) Your problems sound serious enough that if you can possibly swing it, you might want to go private.

Good luck.

will i “outgrow” body dysmorphia?

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