Negative Body Image and Autism

I think these things often come as extremes with autism. There are those that really aren't bothered by their appearance at all. And there are people who are very susceptible to things like body dsymorphia.

I don't think I have any issues with body dysmorphia but I am extremely body conscious. I wear clothes that cover as much of my body as possible. If it's very hot and I resort to wearing shorts I am very self conscious about it. I will not change in front of people or anything like that and I won't go swimming as I don't like wearing swimming costumes.

I don't know whether I would always have been like this or whether it is a result of years of bullying. 

Puberty didn't help me as a child. I had quite bad acne on my chest and back which isn't a great look for a teenage girl. I don't know whether this was what triggered my extreme self consciousness.

I think these things often come as extremes with autism. There are those that really aren't bothered by their appearance at all. And there are people who are very susceptible to things like body dsymorphia.

I don't think I have any issues with body dysmorphia but I am extremely body conscious. I wear clothes that cover as much of my body as possible. If it's very hot and I resort to wearing shorts I am very self conscious about it. I will not change in front of people or anything like that and I won't go swimming as I don't like wearing swimming costumes.

I don't know whether I would always have been like this or whether it is a result of years of bullying. 

Puberty didn't help me as a child. I had quite bad acne on my chest and back which isn't a great look for a teenage girl. I don't know whether this was what triggered my extreme self consciousness.

It *is* kind of interesting, I had acne well into my 20s, I've been overweight, I'm now 60-odd and saggy etc. I used to walk around naked perfectly happily when I was young, don't think I'd do that now but I seem to remain fairly oblivious to my externality most of the time with the occasional bout of sensitivity when everyone stares as you walk to get into the swimming pool etc. I think you're right, it is just one of those random extremes AS people go in for.

Me too re the clothes. My usual attire is jeggings, a jumper and dark coloured trainers. I prefer the winter as it allows me to dress this way. In the summer it’s a t-shirt instead of a jumper. I do occasionally wear a dress in the summer if the mood takes me or if it’s so ridiculously hot that I can’t handle wearing anything more than a dress! I do sometimes like getting dressed up if I have somewhere nice to go in the evening. I don’t do shorts though. It’s not a body image thing, I just don’t feel comfortable having everything on show. I can’t get changed in front of people either, though someone really needs to send my daughter’s that memo (I am always getting burst in on when I’m trying to get dressed!). I had acne in my early teens too but I don’t think that’s the reason that I don’t like showing too much flesh, I just like to keep my body private.

Its weird because I never dress up and spend most of my life in jogger or jeans and a hoody. It changed when I was about 16 and the problems I had with my face really started to take off, I'm better than I was but still hate mirrors. I wasn't a spotty teen just a bit late with everything and it was noticed, like you bullying. Yea and still don't like getting undressed in front of anybody, No matter who it is doctor hubby mum....