In a society that promotes unrealistic body ideals, it is easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others and developing a negative body image. Body image issues are a common problem among teens and young adults, particularly women. They can lead to a variety of other health conditions such as lower self-esteem, mood disorders, self-harm tendencies, disordered eating, and depression. In this blog post, we will be looking at the most common signs of a negative body image and the available treatment options.
What is body image?
Body image is a complex subject. For most people, it goes deeper than not liking your body. It is a combination of the following factors:
1. Your perception of how your body looks to you and others
2. Your estimation of body size
3. Your evaluation of individual parts of your body
4. Your beliefs about what bodies should look like
5. The behaviours you use to evaluate your body
Signs and symptoms of a negative body image
The most common tell signs of negative body image include:
• Being overly focused on comparing your appearance to unrealistic ideals
• Taking extreme measures to avoid seeing your body
• Using baggy clothes to hide your body
• Compulsively checking your body by either weighing your weight, measuring your body parts, or examining yourself in the mirror
• Having negative emotions when you think about your body
What is the treatment for body image issues?
Cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT]
CBT, a form of talk therapy, is very effective in treating body image issues. A registered psychologist will help you identify your triggers for harmful thought patterns associated with your body image and restructure your thinking so that you’re kinder to yourself. CBT uses guided imagery to help you develop relaxation techniques that relieve some of the stress associated with a negative body image.
If you are looking for a registered psychologist in London to help you overcome body image issues, contact me today.
