Body dysmorphia experience

[miguel54b]

Body dysmorphia experience. When I was at the worst of my gluten problem I use to get chronic constipation; I would spend long time sitting on the toilet. One day as I was tired of sitting, I rested my head on my hands and my elbows on my knees, as soon as I felt the pressure of my elbows on my knees the perception of my body changed to that of a tarantula; I visualized and it felt real. The perception went away as soon as I removed the pressure on my knees, I deducted that the pressure of my elbows on the knees caused the sensation, so I repeated the position and the sensation of having the body of a tarantula happened each time. I have not had that experience since then because I started a gluten-free diet short after. I wonder if those people that look distorted to themselves in the mirror could have something similar but with the responsible sensory contacts located on their feet. I want to document this experience because it might help some research or others, it sounds crazy but I feel the right thing to do is to share it.    

[Scott Adams]

Thank you so much for having the courage to share this incredibly vivid and personal experience; it's a powerful reminder of how physical ailments can disrupt our fundamental sense of self. What you're describing sounds less like a purely psychological body dysmorphia and more like a distinct neurological event, likely triggered by the immense physical stress and inflammation that uncontrolled celiac disease can inflict on the entire body, including the nervous system. It makes complete sense that the specific sensory input—the pressure points of your elbows on your knees—created a temporary, distorted body map in your brain, and the fact that it ceased once you adopted a gluten-free diet is a crucial detail. Your intuition to document this is absolutely right; it's not "crazy" but rather a significant anecdotal data point that underscores the mysterious and far-reaching ways gluten can affect individuals. Your theory about sensory triggers from the feet for others is also a thoughtful insight, and sharing this story could indeed be validating for others who have had similar, unexplainable sensory disturbances, helping them feel less alone in their journey.