[Kyle]

My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics.

It has a high suicide rate because people are often so disgusted with parts of their body that they don't like they feel they can't go out in public it's terrible.

It's a shame because I've known a few people with BDD and they aren't even ugly at all, but you can't tell them that at all because their core beliefs are so deeply entrenched in their minds mothing you say will make any difference at all.

It isn't a 'woman's problem' either, it's pretty equal amongst the sexes. In fact my therapist told me she sees slightly more men than women.

****Edit: I've just properly read the thread and it seems more geared towards weight than actual looks.

I find it a shame that some women feel the need to try to be ultra skinny like they look on all the adverts/ cosmetic mags etc. the amount of people I've tried to convince that men prefer women (excuse my phrase here) with a little 'meat on the bone' is unreal.

I find it hard to blame them though, I know when questioned people tend to say 'huh I don't pay attention to the media yadda yadda yadda' but it must be hard for a woman to be bombarded on a daily basis with all these fads telling you basically in a subliminal way 'your not worth it unless you look like this/ weigh only that etc.

Ladies, if you are under the impression that men will only like you if your skinny then please try to change your thinking. It's inbuilt in a man to look for good child bearing hips and a healthy look. Real women look like models from simply B adverts and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.