Does anyone else feel ptsd took their looks away??

[needingamiracle]

Hi all,

I used to be pleased with the way I look but find I am now increasingly ugly, does anyone else feel this way?

Has anyone else gained back their looks after recovery??

 

[Renly]

I’ve been processing my traumas using EMDR for just over a year now…and I feel like I’ve aged a bunch over the last year. Im in my 30’s and hoping that self-care and healing will revitalize me. Going through the healing process has left me tired and stressed and I feel like I can’t always recognize who is looking back at me in the mirror. I used to be hopeful and cheerful and I think that used to reflect back on my face - for some time I feel like I’ve just been in survival mode. I also lost a lot of weight and am a bit underweight now. I’m sorry you are feeling this way. Trauma takes a toll. Although we tend to be most critical on ourselves and I bet you are still more beautiful than you realize. Just wanted you to know you aren’t alone.

 

[Movingforward10]

Interesting. I feel differently. But then my trauma was before being an adult, so I have no idea what it took away, looks, life opportunities, life paths etc.....

For a couple of decades I had no idea why I had 'worry lines', as *I had nothing to worry about*, aka, the denial/disassociative years. Clearly spending a lot of time worrying and being anxious and having no idea about that because I knew nothing else.

Have I aged since doing therapy? Sure! I'm in my 40s.
But am I healthier inside and out? Yes. So so much.

What makes looks anyway?
Yes, superficial looks, but for me there has to be an energy or vibe that I find attractive too. And I hope I am developing that for myself.

So,do you regain your looks? I suppose that depends on what you see looks to be and how you're looking after yourself?

 

[coraxxx]

It goes in different ways. I can definitely see how I don't have the "fresh" face anymore, but this is also because I reached the end of my 20ies.

But to be honest I prefer the way I do look now. I got a scar on my face and have more defined traits, but overall I also look more confident and I think relaxed. Not that I am that confident or relaxed but it's just the face of someone who is tired of bullshit and since it is the signal I want to give, I'm happy I'm giving the right vibe. Not that I don't have body dysphoria or aren't dissatisfied with my overall face and body sometimes, but this doesn't happen in a way that I feel is so much impacted by the trauma.

I am also a bit unsure that it's so visible to anyone else. I do know for sure that many people do find I have a fresh and radiant face and I honestly cannot see it. I think it is much more about what we see in ourselves than what's objectively available, apart from being evidently underweight or sick or moving in a way that is down.

 

[whiteraven]

I used to be pleased with the way I look but find I am now increasingly ugly, does anyone else feel this way?

Has anyone else gained back their looks after recovery??

I suspect it's more how you perceive how you look than how you actually look.

I never liked the way I look, so...*shrug*

 

[shimmerz]

I think trauma affects muscles, especially in the face and back. The way I hold myself has changed. The way my muscles are clamped in my face with all of this trauma processing has definitely affected my looks.

 

[needingamiracle]

It sucks.

Any of the remaining fat on my face has just.. gone, and I am left looking like a gaunt version of myself and I hate it. Desperately just want my old self back.

Saying that I do think I'm starting to get through this thing.