A beautiful woman tragically killed herself after suffering with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. A close friend of Charlotte Comer said she took her own life after years of seeing herself as a "monster".
Charlotte's pal Belinda Tonkins has paid tribute to the 30 year old, describing her as "beautiful inside and out." Charlotte worked as a physiotherapy assistant and loved working with children, she also hoped to have her own family.
She began suffering with Body Dysmorphic Disorder in her teens and had ran up huge debts from buying clothes she knew she'd never wear. In the months leading up to her death, she was only drinking Pepsi Max.
Speaking to Birmingham Live, Belinda said: "Charlotte and I met in our teens and helped each other through some of the worst times in our lives. She was a wonderful friend and I could talk to her about anything.
"She was kind, caring, intelligent and just beautiful inside and out. BDD meant always seeking perfection but seeing yourself like a monster. Any perceived flaws seem exaggerated like seeing yourself with an enormous nose.
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"For Charlotte, she was often too anxious about what people might think about her to leave the house. Her BDD led to anorexia and self harm because she hated the way she looked.
"A symptom was that she hated having her photo taken. So, as a result I have hardly any of us together, which is really sad."
Belinda added: "Her dream was to work at Great Ormond Street one day. We would walk our dogs together as well as watch horror films and go bouldering.
"Charlotte is irreplaceable. I wish she knew how much she was loved and is missed by so many people.
"Before her death, her greatest wish was for there to be more understanding and support for people with BDD so that they wouldn't have to suffer as she did."
A JustGiving page that Belinda set up in memory of Charlotte smashed through its £500 target, raising £2,295 for the BDD Foundation, to advance education and understanding of the condition.
The tribute came after Worcestershire coroner David Reid ruled that neglect by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust played a part in Charlotte's death in July 2021. He recorded a verdict on February 17 that Charlotte died as a result of suicide and her death was contributed to by neglect.
- Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you're feeling, or if you're worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
