Bodily Function Shame (Trigger!!!)
Bodily Function Shame (Trigger!!!)
- Thread starterLoneWolfX
- Start date
SubtleStuff
Registrant
Hi LoneWolfX,
I have a severe autoimmune illness that makes my body very slim, to the point of skeletal. When I was in college, the guys would turn me side to side by grasping my shoulders and turning them and say "Now you see him... Now you don't!". They would also urge me to hide my "bones" when I went to take a shower without my shirt on (I lived in a dorm at that time). When my girlfriend at the time used to want to put her arm around mine (at the elbow), I would cringe and withdraw because I feared my biceps were too small.
Body functions like bowel movements also are challenging for me. I have trouble being anywhere for too long for fear of losing the contents of my bowels into my pants. This is a tremendous source of shame for me and even though I prepare for this eventuality, it's high stress for me when I'm in public. Gas is similar.
My diet is very restricted which makes many social situations virtually impossible. So I generally avoid them.
Physical weakness is something I struggle with a great deal. I've felt alot of shame for not being able to do things for myself. I like being independent and clearly cannot. I sometimes wonder if my siblings resent the support I get.
So you are definitely not alone. I'm not close enough to any woman to get to the point where nudity might be an issue. If that ever comes to be, I'm going to have many shame related issues to face.
I hope you feel less alone with this now. Thanks for bringing this topic up. It's something we rarely talk about but has been a big part of my life.
Cheers,
S
You are definitely not alone in this! I experience a great deal of shame around my body and bodily functions.LoneWolfX said:
I have a severe autoimmune illness that makes my body very slim, to the point of skeletal. When I was in college, the guys would turn me side to side by grasping my shoulders and turning them and say "Now you see him... Now you don't!". They would also urge me to hide my "bones" when I went to take a shower without my shirt on (I lived in a dorm at that time). When my girlfriend at the time used to want to put her arm around mine (at the elbow), I would cringe and withdraw because I feared my biceps were too small.
Body functions like bowel movements also are challenging for me. I have trouble being anywhere for too long for fear of losing the contents of my bowels into my pants. This is a tremendous source of shame for me and even though I prepare for this eventuality, it's high stress for me when I'm in public. Gas is similar.
My diet is very restricted which makes many social situations virtually impossible. So I generally avoid them.
Physical weakness is something I struggle with a great deal. I've felt alot of shame for not being able to do things for myself. I like being independent and clearly cannot. I sometimes wonder if my siblings resent the support I get.
So you are definitely not alone. I'm not close enough to any woman to get to the point where nudity might be an issue. If that ever comes to be, I'm going to have many shame related issues to face.
I hope you feel less alone with this now. Thanks for bringing this topic up. It's something we rarely talk about but has been a big part of my life.
Cheers,
S
Issues on my end, too. I have often been embarrassed to admit that I have to use the restroom. On a carpool road trip with someone going back to college I didn't ask to stop somewhere and could feel urine was backing up into my kidneys. When I reached my destination it was painful. I wondered if I had damaged my kidneys doing that.
I also have food intolerance and sensitivity issues, which causes problems for me. In a public place I often look for the most remote bathroom.
I also have food intolerance and sensitivity issues, which causes problems for me. In a public place I often look for the most remote bathroom.
SubtleStuff
Registrant
Thanks LoneWolfX 
Sincerely,
S
The times when I feel most courageous is when I protect myself from people who would be hurtful to me and find ways to either fight back or flee them. Maybe when my body is doing better I'll feel a little better about the health related choices I've made. Right now, I'm still working hard at healing myself and fearful that I will fail. I would like to be able to work again, socialize again with local people and just be a little closer to normal functioning and less dependent on the support of others. Thanks for your kind words.LoneWolfX said:
Sincerely,
S
Similar threads
