[phoenix6]

This is my second post here, though I joined a long time ago. My daughter has been dealing with depression for a long time and has been diagnosed with both chronic and major depression. She also seems to be dealing with body Dismorphic Disorder. She is obssessed with a wrinkle above her mouth that just honestly doesn't exist. Before that her head was too small for her body. Before that she had terrible spider veins--one or two little burst capillaries behind one knee. I've learned that you're not supposed to say that these things are mainly imaginary, but what are you supposed to say that will do any good?

I'm now seeing a therapist myself just so I can vent my frustration. But I also want to help.

I think the best thing you can do is continually support your daughter. As long as you are there to tell her that she is fine the way she is and even see if she will talk to you about why she feels the way she does. You don't necessarily have to understand what she feels like inside but empathy can go a long way when someone is hurting. I also suggest that you research the condition and learn as much as you can. This will aid in you being able to understand where she is coming from on her feelings.

[phoenix6]

Originally Posted by ChaoticInsanity

I think the best thing you can do is continually support your daughter. As long as you are there to tell her that she is fine the way she is and even see if she will talk to you about why she feels the way she does. You don't necessarily have to understand what she feels like inside but empathy can go a long way when someone is hurting. I also suggest that you research the condition and learn as much as you can. This will aid in you being able to understand where she is coming from on her feelings.

Thanks. I'm reading The Broken Mirror which is about BDD, but I'm not far along. According to what I've read, BDD can be a coping mechanism, but I really don't understand how that can be. We talked about bringing it up with her therapist and I think that will help.