Is this body dysmorphia?

I have no idea what I look like, I can look in the mirror and see myself just fine but I have no idea what I look like to other people. I constantly obsess with looking at myself from every angle of the mirror just to see what other people are seeing. Some days I feel like I’m skinny other days I’m constantly comparing myself to other women on the street, asking my bf “am I as big as her?” Or “am I small like her?” Of course nobody gives me a straight answer in fear of offending me.

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indyjoe · 56-60, M

No, body dysmorphia is when you look at yourself and see flaws that aren't there (i.e. you are of average weight or below and you see nothing but obesity for example). My best advice is to try to stop comparing yourself to other people...everybody, every body, is different. You are different and unique, and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Be proud of who you are...just the way you are. That's not to say you can't want and make improvements, that's not my meaning, but no one is perfect and so neither are you (or me) and accepting that reality is what body acceptance is really all about.

blessedJess · 26-30, F

I don’t compare myself to other people, I use them as a reference for my size. I don’t look at these people and wish I was as skinny as them or hope I’m not as big, I use them as a guide to see what size I actually am because in my head there no way for me to see. @indyjoe

indyjoe · 56-60, M

@blessedJess Using as a reference is comparison. Other people don't see you the way you see yourself...some see you better, others see you worse so in all reality it just doesn't matter (or shouldn't). My reply still stays the same.

anythingoes477 · M

It's good you have pride in your looks.......but no matter how many angles you look at yourself from you will never see yourself as others see you. When people look at you it's not to see how you compare to others..are you bigger or smaller--they look at the entire picture of you to see if you are attractive to them--or not. That's not just the kind of clothes you have on or how your hair is done.....it's how you act, how you carry yourself, are you bubbly, outgoing, fun looking. That is the image that matters. You concentrate on the physical only...and that is less than half of what others are looking at to get a full impression of you.

DearAmbellina2113 · 41-45, F

I am the exact same way. I was diagnosed with dysmorphia in 2014. I don't always recognize myself in photos, and I have no concept of my actual size in comparison to others. I'm always asking my fiance, "Am I her size?" when I see an obese woman on tv.