Phobia of not dressing well enough?? Social anxiety?? Help

blazerod

Member
This hasn't been recent - I have always been EXTREMELY picky when it comes to picking out clothing. I often spend hours upon hours picking my outfit, then making sure it's good. Looking at latest trends, etc. I get nervous and freak out when I'm in public and see someone dressed better than me. I genuinely feel like I have panic attacks. But I've been like this since I was a kid. Is this some sort of OCD, anxiety, phobia? I don't know - I need advice...
 

Diden32

Member
I definitely relate to this, I have social anxiety because of the way my mum makes me dress. Imagine being outside right now in the summertime and everyone is wearing summer clothes and you're wearing a knee length puffy coat and rubber boots. For me most days are like that and I feel so embarrassed and self conscious about what other people think of me when they see me wearing that.
 

blazerod

Member
I am so sorry. That sounds really tough. I feel for you. It really is awful to deal with such anxiety due to social conformities. How old are you if I may ask??
I have a date with the girlfriend coming up; she knows about my problem and constantly assures me that everything is okay. Still went to http://www.josbank.com/suits to get a brand new suit just in case my old ones aren't enough. Don't know why I'm like this. Maybe it is a mental thing. However, I feel for you. Hope all is well.






I definitely relate to this, I have social anxiety because of the way my mum makes me dress. Imagine being outside right now in the summertime and everyone is wearing summer clothes and you're wearing a knee length puffy coat and rubber boots. For me most days are like that and I feel so embarrassed and self conscious about what other people think of me when they see me wearing that.
 

Diden32

Member
I am so sorry. That sounds really tough. I feel for you. It really is awful to deal with such anxiety due to social conformities. How old are you if I may ask??
I have a date with the girlfriend coming up; she knows about my problem and constantly assures me that everything is okay. Still went to http://www.josbank.com/suits to get a brand new suit just in case my old ones aren't enough. Don't know why I'm like this. Maybe it is a mental thing. However, I feel for you. Hope all is well.

I'm almost 15. And thanks, I hope it works out for you!
 

AtTheGates

Banned
I just try to dress my best and come to terms with the fact that someone somewhere is ALWAYS going to be a **** about it. oh well..lol..cant please everyone .
 
This hasn't been recent - I have always been EXTREMELY picky when it comes to picking out clothing. I often spend hours upon hours picking my outfit, then making sure it's good. Looking at latest trends, etc. I get nervous and freak out when I'm in public and see someone dressed better than me. I genuinely feel like I have panic attacks. But I've been like this since I was a kid. Is this some sort of OCD, anxiety, phobia? I don't know - I need advice...

I have a friend who's like that. She only buys mid and high-end brands and nothing is ever good enough for her. She told me she feels like crying every time she has a pimple or just a bit of a break-out on her face and sometimes she can't leave the house because of it. She's been diagnosed with OCD and depression recently. I'm no expert but from everything she's told me I'd say she also suffers body dysmorphia. She's obsessed with her image, posts daily on Instagram looking for approval and she can't post a photo without several filters. I feel bad for her, especially because she's beautiful without any make-up, she's literally one of the most gorgeous women I've met. Just naturally pretty, nice body and a beautiful face.

But even with all that she's not satisfied and obsesses about her image and appearance constantly.

She also isn't very smart. I don't think she's that unintelligent, she's just pretty ignorant about everything that isn't fashion and is very shallow and traditional. My guess is that on some level she thinks looks are all she's got and that's why she's pressuring herself to be perfect instead of trying to develop her personality more. (And yes, I am her friend regardless because she's quite fun to be around when she's not obsessing and she's a good person at heart).

I am not saying you are like her but maybe the mechanism is similar. Maybe you are not satisfied with other areas of your life and looking better than everyone else is your way of actually becoming better than everyone in your head.

Have you tried investing in yourself in other areas? Learning a new language, doing sports of some kind, art, reading...anything? :)
 
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