Body Image
What is Body Image?
Body image refers to how we view our bodies and or certain parts of our appearance. This includes your thoughts, memories, and assumptions about yourself as well as your feelings towards your body size, shape, and appearance. This also includes how you experience your body through movement and sensations throughout the day.
When some people look in the mirror, they are met with feelings of neutrality and contentment. However, if you are struggling with body dysmorphia or body image issues, looking at your physical self can bring with it anxiety, distress, depression, and low self-esteem. Body image struggles are often linked to eating disorders, disordered eating, or unhealthy relationships with foods and dieting. Having a positive or neutral view of yourself is important in facilitating higher levels of self-esteem and overall confidence. This can be achieved with the support of body image therapy in Georgia!
What is Body Dysmorphia?
At times, negative body image can morph into body dysmorphia. Body dysmorphia is characterized by hyper-focusing on your body or one body part to the point where it creates anxiety and distress. This can lead to continuing, repetitive thoughts about yourself and worry related to body shape and size. The distress in body dysmorphia is centered around feeling as if your body is changing. Or, that you cannot tell what size your body actually is.
Many people who struggle with body dysmorphia view their physical selves as much larger than they are. This leads to ongoing anxiety and stress. Often, someone who is experiencing body dysmorphia will strongly believe that there is something innately wrong with their appearance. Individuals will find flaws in their bodies that no one else sees. Because of this, they will often try to conceal the perceived flaws with clothing, make-up, or by avoiding social situations altogether.
Repetitive Behaviors Go Alongside Body Image Issues
Someone with body dysmorphia may repetitively ask for reassurance from those around them. Or, assume that others are viewing their bodies in the same way they see themselves. Looking in the mirror with body dysmorphia is similar to standing in front of a fun-house mirror that morphs what you are seeing. It can feel impossible to view yourself the way others see you. Or, even comprehend that someone else could have a natural perspective of your physical self. With this, body-checking behaviors are common in people who struggle with body dysmorphia.
Body checking can be any repetitive behavior, often ritualistic action, that relates to attempting to find reassurance that your body has not changed. Body checking can be focused on one particular part of the body, but can also be centered around your body as a whole. While the intent behind body checking is to find comfort and reassurance, it typically fuels discomfort and ongoing negative thoughts.
Experiencing body dysmorphia or a negative body image can feel like you are trapped or stuck in your body.
Please know there is hope and a possibility that you can look at yourself with confidence and positivity. Through therapeutic methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), you can learn to identify, challenge, reframe, and change the negative, overwhelming thoughts and beliefs you have about your body. Learning evidence-based tools and coping skills is key to beginning to break the cycle of ongoing negative thoughts and beliefs about your body. Starting body image therapy in East Cobb, Marietta, and anywhere via online therapy in Georgia is a great step. You can begin to improve your view of yourself and see yourself in a more positive light. You do not have to go through this alone. Our body image therapists are here to help.
What Causes Negative Body Image or Body Dysmorphia?
Negative body image and body dysmorphia can be caused by many different factors. However, our body-focused society is a huge factor to consider. We live in a culture that is preoccupied with weight and constantly striving for the so-called, “perfect” body. This can have a significant negative impact on how you view yourself. Striving for something that is constantly changing. That is masked by photoshop, or is set by unrealistic beauty standards brings with it overwhelming pressure. This can increase dissatisfaction with your physical appearance.
Media Plays A Huge Role!
Our society seems to be never satisfied with how celebrities or people in the media look. This tells us that we should not be content with how we view ourselves. The media is not necessarily the direct cause of body image struggles. But, it is certainly a major factor in its prevalence of it in our culture. Each day, we are inundated with how we should look, dress, and feel about ourselves. These messages from society can be right in front of us or can show up in subtle ways that go unnoticed. With the messages we receive from society, it is easy to internalize and find yourself viewing your physical self in a negative light. Body-positive therapy in Georgia can help!
What Does Healing Look Like and How Can Body Image Therapy in Georgia Help?
Struggling with body dysmorphia and negative body image often carries with it anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. It is often linked to disordered eating or a negative relationship with food. If you are struggling with negative body image or body dysmorphia know that you are not alone. Starting therapy is a great step to take to improve your view of yourself and see yourself in a more positive light. We are here to help. There is hope that you can see yourself and your body in a renewed positive light. We are here to walk with you through your journey to finding confidence and contentment with every part of yourself. You deserve to feel empowered and confident and that can be achieved in body-positive therapy soon!
Begin Body Image Therapy in Georgia!
You don’t have to keep living with the stress and struggle of poor self-image and body image issues. When you’re ready to get started, our team of therapists is ready to offer support from our East Cobb practice! Here are the steps you need to take:
- Fill out the contact form below or email us at info@eastcobbrelationshipcenter.com.
- Next, one of our caring and competent body image therapists will respond to your inquiry within one business day to set up your appointment.
- Begin feeling complete and accepting yourself!
Other Counseling Services
We know that mental health is important and challenges many. Therefore, Anxiety treatment in Georgia isn’t the only thing that East Cobb Relationship Center offers. We also offer effective counseling for adults, teens, and young adults suffering from eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, body image, depression, compulsive sexual behavior, and enmeshed men. Our therapists also specialize in couples counseling and affair recovery.
