Hair and perfectionism

Does anyone else experience perfectionism around their hair? I have dysmorphia about it and am obsessive over the placement of each hair. This seems tied to an obsession with being attractive- or not being "ugly" I guess. I feel shitty saying that out loud, but I'm curious if anyone else has had their vanity be a theme their OCD latches onto? It feels like a big fear. Like I'm afraid I wont be able to look at myself if I percieve myself as "unattractive". I feel like I've heard a lot people emphasize that OCD has nothing to do with vanity and I'm struggling to identify this as OCD because of that.

noriiiii

Date posted: 2y

i may not struggle with hair perfectionism in that realm itself , but in terms of overall vanity , i struggle with the fear of putting on and gaining weight , but i do obsessive - counting movements the overthrow and burn my body out completely to the point where im crying in pain because thats how bad my muscles hurt and i don’t know if it’s ocd or half ocd half another condition but im just so confused cause im so embarrassed i don’t tell anyone i do this except for my bf knows and it’s eating me alive

gaben

Date posted: 2y

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. I had an extreme eating disorder for this exact reason and I believe it was as intense as it was because it was OCD driven. I know how painful and isolating this is and I'm so, so sorry.

noriiiii

Date posted: 2y

@gaben thank you for that and yes it very much is , do you have any tips.

gaben

Date posted: 2y

@noriiiii ED treatment can often replicate ERP- I would suggest finding a specialist with experience with both EDs and OCD. They can teach you the compassion you need to give yourself, while working on resisting the compulsions. Until then, try practicing a little radical self acceptance each day. The love you have for people with bigger bodies than you is the love you deserve for yourself. This body has gotten you this far in life because it's on your side. You may not unconditionally love the form of your body, but your body unconditionally loves you. It's the reason you're alive and here today. 💕

noriiiii

Date posted: 2y

@gaben thank you for that, will keep all of that in mind❤️ unfortunately for a while anyway i cannot get a therapist for either as my insurance doesn’t cover it even though i just switched :,(

mgmt

Date posted: 24w

Perfectionism ocd

I cannot get over my perfectionism ocd surrounding my hair. The color needs to be perfect without any undertone left of red or orange, or I freak out (due to past experience). I’m a natural brunette, so I dye my hair brown…. Making me have red/orange undertones. I want to get over my ocd completely and the fear I get from dying it/looking at it/constantly checking and comparing to others hair. It’s exhausting. Any tips ? I want ocd to stop taking control of my life. I want to enjoy getting my hair done and not freaking out every second over it.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 18w

Doubts about self expression

This obsession is new, but feels so much more grounded and it’s so anxiety inducing. Since the ocd started I’ve lost my sense of self and confidence. I got soocd and it slowly turned into be doubting my identity on whether I want to identify or dress masculine or feminine. I don’t feel good in the clothes I would typically wear out before I’m constantly overanalyzing how I’m feeling , it makes me really anxious and like I’m preforming. So then I started doubting if I would rather dress masculine and it’s extremely anxiety inducing and idk if it’s the ocd now but it feels like that’s how I want to dress.. that’s not what I associated with at all before the ocd but now it feels like that’s what would make me feel fully confident and loose in the world, does anyone else experience this??

kitchensink234

Date posted: 14w

Advice please!

I have been really battling with my SO OCD, and I’ve recently started to have a ton of wins!!! I’m really excited about it, but as I’ve noticed myself not engaging as much… different things have popped up. Now im obsessed with people’s perception on me, and them looking at me and thinking by how I walk, how I talk, what I wear, how I move… that I am gay? And am so convinced everyone thinks that and “knows something that I don’t”. Is that typical with OCD? If so, any ERP advice on how to overcome these thoughts?

Sexual Orientation OCD

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Hair and perfectionism

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