u/Least-Size-7537

I keep being told I should have no problem in dating and that I’m fairly attractive, but I know they’re lying I just can’t prove it. I’ve had BDD since I was 14 but I feel like my lack of attention in real life supports how I feel about myself. I know rationally I’m not too ugly to date, but I simply cannot imagine anyone loving my face and body. I do pretty well on hinge, receiving 40 matches in the past 5 days but no one has ever shown me any interest in real life. I’m fed up of what I’m being told not matching my actual life experience.

So for context, I’m 18m and I’ve never done any of this before in any capacity. I’m still in recovery from a period of severe and extreme body dysmorphia in my mid to late teens, the kind that would have you wearing a hoodie in the middle of July because you’d rather that than anyone see any part of your upper body. I really want to find someone to care about and to share life with, but I have no idea how that would go for me. I’m 6’3”, dirty blonde with blue eyes and I’m a healthy weight. I don’t really receive that many compliments but every time I’ve expressed being unhappy with my appearance the people around me have accused me of pretending for validation or just tell me to see a therapist because I’m not seeing clearly. I’ve tried hinge for the first time in the last 3 days and have received 20 matches, but I chalk this down to my pics just being good. Real life is a mystery to me and I have no idea whether I’m attractive. I posted in amiugly and only received positive comments and multiple people said they would kill for my facial structure. Do I just need to stop being so damn insecure and timid?

So for context, I’m 18m and I’ve never done any of this before in any capacity. I’m still in recovery from a period of severe and extreme body dysmorphia in my mid to late teens, the kind that would have you wearing a hoodie in the middle of July because you’d rather that than anyone see any part of your upper body. I really want to find someone to care about and to share life with, but I have no idea how that would go for me. I’m 6’3”, dirty blonde with blue eyes and I’m a healthy weight. I don’t really receive that many compliments but every time I’ve expressed being unhappy with my appearance the people around me have accused me of pretending for validation or just tell me to see a therapist because I’m not seeing clearly. I’ve tried hinge for the first time in the last 3 days and have received 20 matches, but I chalk this down to my pics just being good. Real life is a mystery to me and I have no idea whether I’m attractive. I posted in amiugly and only received positive comments and multiple people said they would kill for my facial structure. Do I just need to stop being so damn insecure and timid?