3 ms·

I have an extraordinarily rare mental/neurological issue called Body Integrity Dysphoria, which makes me want to be disabled (specifically paraplegic or to lose

I have an extraordinarily rare mental/neurological issue called Body Integrity Dysphoria, which makes me want to be disabled (specifically paraplegic or to lose my legs.) I've had it since age six, and it's only gotten less bearable with time. All the meds and therapy I've tried have done nothing to help. I'm planning to try psychedelic psychotherapy to treat my BID. I doubt it will relieve the desires - it seems more like being trans than anything - but I'm desperate, and maybe it'll help me accept my condition, or decide whether to try getting (sketchy, grey-market) surgery. Psychedelics have helped with other kinds of body dysmorphia, at least. Worth a shot?

pmoriarty 5y ago
I hope that if you do this, you only do it with an trained psychedelic therapist who you like, respect, and trust... and who provides lots of therapy before and lots of integration after. Unfortunately there's not yet enough known about these substances to predict whether they'll work for a rare condition.. besides, everyone's different, and everyone reacts to these substances differently. They're pretty unpredictable. So it might work for you, it might not. A lot also depends on how they're used, where, and with whom -- what's known as "set and setting". I'd recommend reading James Fadiman's Psychedelic Explorer's Guide[1] for lots of good advice on this subject. [1] - https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021 https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeut...
- biidthrowaway 5y ago
  thank you for the advice and particularly for the book recommendation. I definitely want to get an excellent therapist who's compassionate with my condition and whom I feel safe with. I have no idea how to find one, but perhaps the therapists open-minded and curious enough to explore psychedelic therapy will be interested in taking on a new challenge like BID. heck, they could write me up as a case study.
  - pmoriarty 5y ago
    "I have no idea how to find one" Try asking around at psychedelic conferences or at meetings of a psychedelic society[1] near you. [1] - https://www.tripsitters.org/directory https://www.tripsitters.org/directory
MarcoZavala 5y ago
yung_steezy 5y ago
I would be concerned that psychedelics might add fuel to the fire in the case of body dysmorphia since one of their common effects is dissociation.

pmoriarty 5y ago

I hope that if you do this, you only do it with an trained psychedelic therapist who you like, respect, and trust... and who provides lots of therapy before and lots of integration after. Unfortunately there's not yet enough known about these substances to predict whether they'll work for a rare condition.. besides, everyone's different, and everyone reacts to these substances differently. They're pretty unpredictable. So it might work for you, it might not. A lot also depends on how they're used, where, and with whom -- what's known as "set and setting". I'd recommend reading James Fadiman's Psychedelic Explorer's Guide[1] for lots of good advice on this subject. [1] - https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021 https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeut...

biidthrowaway 5y ago
thank you for the advice and particularly for the book recommendation. I definitely want to get an excellent therapist who's compassionate with my condition and whom I feel safe with. I have no idea how to find one, but perhaps the therapists open-minded and curious enough to explore psychedelic therapy will be interested in taking on a new challenge like BID. heck, they could write me up as a case study.
- pmoriarty 5y ago
  "I have no idea how to find one" Try asking around at psychedelic conferences or at meetings of a psychedelic society[1] near you. [1] - https://www.tripsitters.org/directory https://www.tripsitters.org/directory

MarcoZavala 5y ago

yung_steezy 5y ago

I would be concerned that psychedelics might add fuel to the fire in the case of body dysmorphia since one of their common effects is dissociation.