# Have you seen yourself naked? Would you like to? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 16, 2004, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353 "2004-07-16T00:39:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/21 "2004-07-16T03:48:58Z")
Everyday. I sleep naked and see a glimpse on the way to the shower in a full length bedroom mirror and in the bathroom mirror. Also while toweling off in the bedroom. I use my socks to dry off some more under and beside all my “stuff” and under my gut before putting on my underwear, and I look at that too. :o ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/22 "2004-07-16T04:10:26Z")
Yes, there is something wrong with refusing to see yourself naked. You’re an adult now, and as such, you need to start taking responsibility for your own health. Part of this is knowing what’s “normal” for you, so you can be aware of any changes that occur. Also, if you do suspect that something has gone wrong “down there,” you should be able to take a look and see what’s going on. Are you able to do breast self-exams? **Shagnasty** : Are you saying that she should be committed to a mental hospital because she refuses to look at herself naked? 😕 Are you saying she is more messed up than a serial killer? 😕 😕 Surely you can’t be serious. I do think that she does have some sort of a problem, and should probably seek professional help to work through it, but I just don’t see how her hang-up can be taken as evidence of a major mental illness. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/23 "2004-07-16T04:12:53Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I don’t mean to be a judge about you[…] Well then, it’s good to see that you didn’t say things like: > [@](#): > > […]but I have to nominate that for the most deluded thing thing that I have ever heard of. That makes me feel _very_ warm and fuzzy. > [@](#): > > I have a degree in psychology[…] Good, then you know all about harmful dysfunction. I’m not experiencing subjective distress by not looking at myself naked. I wasn’t even going to start this thread because I really don’t even think about it that much, but then **Cisco** said something in the linked thread that made me think that people would be interested in hearing this. \ I may be wrong about that. But this whole self-nudity thing doesn’t plague me day and night. I just don’t look at myself naked. > [@](#): > > This was passed on to me by a friend that could have you committed if you were in our state. Can I see a cite for that? > [@](#): > > I would take a serial killers statement as less serious than I take yours. That is truly delusional and strange and you need help. Guh? A serial killer harms people. In fact, he does more than harm people. He takes their lives away from them often in demeaning and torturous ways. I don’t want to look at myself naked. Am I harming anyone? Am I still fully functional? Can you even successfully argue that I am harming myself? How are those even in the same ballpark? > [@](#): > > This comes from a former mental patient with Bipolar-Type I Disorder who was commited 5 times in the last 5 years and is now very successful (doing better than most - I am a multi-millionaire mainly due to my wife). […] I can relate to most of it because I am very high-functioning and yet an alchoholic and a Bipolar-Type I Patient How is this even germane? **Shagnasty** , I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn’t mean to be insulting, but it certainly came across that way. Thanks to all who have been supportive/kind. FWIW, I’ve seen myself in my underwear. Don’t know if that makes a difference. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/24 "2004-07-16T04:57:26Z")
I generally put my contacts in right after my shower, and unless it’s winter and I’m wearing a robe for warmth, I’m nekkid. So the first thing I see clearly most days is my own naked body. It’s not the most pleasant sight in the world due to my excessive girth, but it’s not shocking or shameful or repulsive. It’s just my body, you know? I’ve looked at every single inch of my body at some point or another. I’m prone to getting infected pubic hairs and unsightly crotch pimples, so I check out my external genitalia on pretty regular basis. When I was a teenager, I got a couple of cysts in my labia, which made me haul out the mirror to check things out. I’ve never made the effort to look at my vulva since then, because I don’t find it all that interesting a sight, but if it were readily visible I wouldn’t actively avoid looking. And as I said before, I see my breasts in the mirror pretty much every day. And in all fairness, **AwSnappity** , if you’re going to ask a group of people if there’s something wrong with you, you have to be prepared for somebody to say yes. ---
**Author:** ![Adoptamom\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Adoptamom\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adoptamom_II)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/25 "2004-07-16T05:01:21Z")
I never had an issue with seeing myself totally naked **until** one day I got out of the shower, looked in the full length mirror, and found that my head was on my mothers body :eek: :eek: :eek: When did I get that little roll around my tummy? Where did those dimples in the back of my thighs come from? Not to mention my tits pointing straight ahead instead of the perky little tilt I remembered them at ☹ Luckily I’m married to the incredible Mr. Adoptamom who quickly reassured me that those little quirks were the things he loved most about my body. Nice save honey 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/26 "2004-07-16T05:02:43Z")
**CrazyCatLady** , you’ll notice that many people have said there’s something wrong with me, but I singled out **Shagnasty**. Now, there’s a reason for that. Most have said, “I think you may have some issues you’ll need to work out, possibly with the help of a therapist.” **Shagnasty** , on the other hand, came in here and basically called me deluded and more dangerous than a serial killer. You’ll also notice that I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I let him know that the way he worded his message was offensive to me. You can disagree with me, but if you do it in an insulting manner outside of the Pit, I’ll take issue with it. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/27 "2004-07-16T05:04:25Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I would take a serial killers statement as less serious than I take yours. That is truly delusional and strange and you need help. If the serial killer’s statement is “I’m carrying a magical bologna sandwich between my bumcheeks,” I might agree with you. But if said serial killer’s statement was something along the lines of “I’m going to skin you alive,” **AwSnappity’s** little hang-up really seems a trifle less serious. I agree that not ever seeing oneself naked is strange, but this kind of online diagnosis and judgement, **Shagnasty** really seems a bit…harsh, rude, harmful, completely out of line… I mean, jeez, you’ve actually studyed psychology and _this_ is the most _deluded_ thing you’ve ever heard? C’mon, now. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/28 "2004-07-16T05:05:25Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > And in all fairness, **AwSnappity** , if you’re going to ask a group of people if there’s something wrong with you, you have to be prepared for somebody to say yes. Aw, he didn’t just say that there was something wrong with her. He said that she was worse than a serial killer and ought to be thrown into the loony bin! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/29 "2004-07-16T06:52:57Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I have a degree in psychology and I have never neard of the “inability to look at one-self”. That is extremely strange and should be treated. Hmmm. “I’ve never heard of your condition. Obviously, you must be a psychopath.” No smiley yet created can convey how highly dubious I am about your qualifications. **AwSnappity** , it _is_ a bit odd, and I can’t imagine how you can function without ever seeing your genitals… but I suppose blind people manage. I would suggest it might be indicative of some deeper issue though. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/30 "2004-07-16T06:55:03Z")
Okay \ I took the plunge. I did it. Looked in the mirror naked. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/31 "2004-07-16T06:59:37Z")
I forgot to mention: I couldn’t have done it without someone’s help. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/32 "2004-07-16T06:59:58Z")
The reason I asked is that I am, well, almost completely opposite :D. I sleep naked probably 75% of the time, and on weekends I get out of the shower and don’t put clothes on until I absolutely have to leave my apartment. AwSnappity - I’m sorry for what Shagnasty said. It was rude and uncalled for. I will say though that your hang-up **can** be harmful though and I encourage you to try to work through it. You need to be familiar with the sights and feels of your body in order to detect things like skin cancer, breast cancer, etc. I know your doctor probably does those things but that’s not enough. You need to keep up with it constantly. Like someone else said: you’re an adult now and you need to be responsible for your body. Let’s see, other questions…do you have any idea of the source or cause for this hang-up? How long has it been going on? Surely you ran around naked when you were a kid, right? Are you religious? Thanks for starting this thread by the way. It’s been…interesting :). ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/33 "2004-07-16T07:03:30Z")
Perhaps you should try to see yourself completely naked, just _once_, just to see if this is all for nothing. What is the worst that can happen from seeing yourself naked? Turn to stone? Have a stroke? I don’t mean to be judgmental, but the concept boggles my mind. I’m not going to go so far as to say you are serial-killer deranged or anything, its just…_wierd_. Are you comfortable about _other_ people seeing your naked body? What if you were making love with someone and they wanted to _see_ who they were making love to? Would you deprive them that? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/34 "2004-07-16T07:06:26Z")
> [@AwSnappity](#): > > I forgot to mention: I couldn’t have done it without someone’s help. 😉 Hey! Credit me, credit me! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/35 "2004-07-16T07:11:40Z")
**Shagnasty** ,you said something was seriously wrong with **Awsnappity** and that she must seek help. I have a degree in psychology as well and I disagree with you. I don’t know about you, but I’m from the school of psychologists that practices the adagio: if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it. Norms for behavior are statistical averages, not standards for “normal” behavior. If a person or those around him are not troubled by their behavior, or its consequences, we are wasting our time and theirs if we try to tell them they have a problem or if we try to “correct” them. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/36 "2004-07-16T07:15:48Z")
Questions, questions, questions. Now for the answers. I don’t really have problems with other people seeing my naked body, although I don’t go showing it off to just anyone. So far that’s only been one person, although if I were in a committed relationship with someone else, I’m sure they’d get to see my glistening nude body as well. In my family, you just don’t talk about sexuality. You don’t watch it on TV, you don’t read about it, you don’t even acknowledge its existence. I was raised Lutheran but I stopped practicing a couple years ago. My family isn’t very religious at all. I don’t for sure know the exact source of this issue. Don’t remember running around naked when I was a kid. Don’t remember ever sleeping naked or anything. Tonight marks the first time in 19 years that I, **AwSnappity** , have ever seen myself naked. My reaction? “Blech.” It wasn’t _that bad_, but I didn’t get up close and poke and prod and examine. I gave myself a once-over and got dressed. Let’s arrange a nakedDope or something. I still have some issues that need to be worked through… 😃 Am I normal now? Still on par with a serial killer? Or have I moved down to a mere domestic abuser? ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/37 "2004-07-16T07:20:07Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > AwSnappity > > I have a degree in psychology and I have never neard of the “inability to look at one-self”. That is extremely strange and should be treated. I have no idea where that came from but I have to nominate that for the most deluded thing thing that I have ever heard of. wtf, **Shagnasty**? Unless you are a licensed mental health professional with a graduate degree, you have no business saying these sorts of things to anyone, especially someone you have never even met! And believe me when I tell you that no one with those credentials ever _would_ say such things (I fervently hope). It’s a good way to not stay licensed very much longer, at least in my state. Pay no attention, **AwSnappity** , and congratulations on having the nerve to take a peek 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sisyphus\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sisyphus\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sisyphus_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/38 "2004-07-16T07:51:49Z")
> [@AwSnappity](#): > > Am I normal now? Still on par with a serial killer? Or have I moved down to a mere domestic abuser? Bloody normative comparisons of individualistic, ideosyncratic behaviours made by some herein make my blood boil. Yes you are normal now and have always been so. Whatever that means. **Aw** , don’t get a hang-up about what others may consider a hang-up. Do whatever comes naturally to **you** and avoid the thought that your own standards/habits/customs are somehow weird. To thine ownself be true. Now, if you want an independent arbiter of how your body compares… Or a non-reflecting, non-judgmental mirror… I’m your man. 😃 Cites in the form of photos would be welcomed. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/39 "2004-07-16T08:22:47Z")
So, have you ever acknowledged your own sexuality in any way? Have you ever masturbated, made out with someone, had sex, or even said to yourself, “I, AwSnappity, am a sexual being”? Or have you pushed those thoughts away like you have the sight of your own body? I’m just curious, because of your apparent connection of nudity and sex, and your family’s refusal to acknowledge the fact of human sexuality. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353/40 "2004-07-16T10:59:57Z")
Am I the only one here that thinks **Shagnasty** ’s “_whoosh_” is pitching a shutout? Or does Shag have a history of batshit-craziness of which I’m not aware? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-yourself-naked-would-you-like-to/255353.md?page=3)