A-Z Mental Health: Body Image Issues

Ask a Therapist Is This Normal?
1

Hi everyone!

Let’s talk about another huge issue that’s actually very common - body image! Body image is the way you see yourself when you look in the mirror or imagine yourself in your mind. It includes your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about your appearance, including your body size, shape, and overall physical features.

It’s actually normal to have occasional doubts or insecurities, but having a negative body image can really impact your mental health, leading to feelings of low self-worth, anxiety, or even disordered eating behaviors :confounded:

There are many complex factors that can lead to us having body image concerns such as:

  • Societal standards (like what you see on social media!)
  • Comments from peers, family, friends, strangers
  • Past experiences like bullying or trauma

So let’s discuss:
What does body image mean to you?
How do you think it affects your mood or self-esteem?
Have you found ways to feel better about yourself when insecurities arise?

Let’s start a conversation about how we can build a healthier relationship with our bodies and support each other along the way! :muscle:

2

Hi everyone!

Body image issues don’t just affect how we see ourselves—they can also impact how we connect with others. When we feel insecure about our appearance, we may withdraw from social situations, avoid intimacy, or struggle with vulnerability, fearing judgment or rejection. This can create distance in relationships, even with those who care about us most. In some cases, body image concerns can lead to misunderstandings or conflict, as our self-doubt might be misinterpreted as disinterest or detachment.

How do you think body image concerns can influence how we show up in our relationships, and what helps you feel more confident in connecting with others?

3

i used to define body image as my weight and size but then when i started quantifying it, i realised how insecure and body conscious i became. so right now, i’ve just been trying to cope through ways of reminding myself that i’m healing my relationship with food! esp after being so fixated on being a size 2 or below