Help me help my Girlfriend!

So, my girlfriend just came out to me that she has severe body image problems. I obviously was well aware of them, and had always tried to take extra time to tell her how much i cared about her and how beautiful she is. But It never really helped her in terms of how she felt about herself. She is constantly comparing herself to other grls and in fact because of her issues, she is very, very jealous. She always think i would talk to other women, or texting someone,....etc. I Love her to death and want to do anything i can to help but really dont know what to do. I told her how much i loved her and how gorgeous she is. But i knew that that wasnt going to do anything. I offered to get help witha proffesional and that i would set it up and join her, and she declined. She doesnt think they will help. I need any advice from people who have dealt with similar issues. pleaseeeeeeeeeee

Wow..I really feel for you.  I was this girlfriend about a year ago with my boyfriend from high school whom I had been with for four years.  It's been a year since we broke up and I don't even know who I am anymore, I feel like such a different person.  I too, had eating issues and serious jealosy issues.  It took a lot of big changes (like moving, new job, new friends) to change that.  My boyfriend was just like you and sooo sweet.  I would just say give her space and keep being caring, but let her do her own thing, and encourage her to talk to other people too.   Sorry I can't be of more help! Good luck, it's so nice of you to care so much about her.

How old are you both? it's something younger girls should grow out of in time.  There's really nothing you can do to change anyone else, but continue to be supportive.  You can't make them see what they refuse to - but she'll eventually come around.

Don't put up with some of her jealousy though - not letting you have any female friends is a fast road to severe dysfunction.  It's unreasonable, and silly.

Fluffydragon took the words right out of my mouth.

 

I'm with fluffydragon... I am this girl, but not as bad as I once was. It does get better with time. My boyfriend is super sweet just like yourself, and has helped me through a lot of my issues.. 

one day while we were lying on the couch, he told me to just take my shirt and bra off, not trying to be a perve, just helping to coaxe me out of my fear of being exposed.. it actually worked haha. He told me I was beautiful, and after that it has gotten easier to get in more intimate (and vulnerable) situations...

I admit that I still have body issues and probably will always do to some extent, but with time those insecurites do begin to fade... needless to say I am much more open and confident then the timid insecure girl I was, and it keeps getting better

I was once this girl. I still negative about my body image, but I have come a long way. I still feel embarrassed dressing in front of my boyfriend! But he'll just say something like, "Come on, it's what I look forward to seeing every morning." Little things like that can mean the world to a girl. Just keep saying it, I promise you that even if it doesn't cure her problem, it still means a lot to her.

I don't know how old you two are, but I agree with Carmen that complimenting your girlfriend while naked will definately boost her confidence.

I COMPLETELY agree with the others. Complimenting her while naked does wonders to our self esteem. We just need reassurance sometimes and are scared to feel vunerable.

I also think it has a lot to do with todays society. Everywhere you look they tell you that a size 0-2 is sexy, and you have to have a perfect body like the girls you see in movies. Even men have gotten so caught up in it that they are insulting girls who are a size 8 and above. I've seen men call girls fat who were a size 8. First of all, when did men start thinking it was okay to just randomly insult girls let alone call them fat? Honestly, it is everywhere. No wonder she feels insecure, most of us do in todays world. It's a shame, you just have to keep comforting her. She will get better. She's probably had some bad experiences in her past.

You sound like a sweet, supportive boyfriend. But I'm afraid all you can do is be a sweet supportive boyfriend. It helps, no doubt, but if this is something she's gotten into her head it may be something she has to work out for herself.

Also, you don't know what other factors there are. Maybe you're good to her, but she has friends(or enemies!) or family members who make her feel self conscious about her body? It's also unclear from your post whether she does actually have a weight issue, or if she's just insecure and believes she does. Those things can be two different ballparks.