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.

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.

Hoodies are my favourite item of clothing. I like to wear my hood up. Even inside. I think it's like a comfort. I can hide under it too. I don't really like being seen out in public when I'm on my own (no idea why) and so I tend to go everywhere with my hood up. Definitely prefer winter for these reasons. But I am really sensitive to the cold so for that reason I hate winter. I wish I could hibernate.

Hoodies are my favourite item of clothing. I like to wear my hood up. Even inside. I think it's like a comfort. I can hide under it too. I don't really like being seen out in public when I'm on my own (no idea why) and so I tend to go everywhere with my hood up. Definitely prefer winter for these reasons. But I am really sensitive to the cold so for that reason I hate winter. I wish I could hibernate.