I Struggle With My Body Image

I had suffered with body dysmorpic disorder for nearly twenty years. It manifested as a compulsion to cut tiny pieces of hair from my head so it was perfectly symmetrical. I would spend endless hours doing this until it was very short. I always felt ugly and that there was something intrinsically wrong with me. I often hid away from people.

I had several courses of cognitive behaviour therapy. Tried lots of medications. Finally, almost two years ago now, I cut my hair for the last time.

I still take meds. Perhaps I always will. My mental health is the best it's been all my adult life. I never thought I would overcome my illness.

So, at the end of this month, I will be celebrating the two year anniversary of the last time I acted on the compulsion to snip my hair.