WE ARE AAVAILABLE FOR CARE IN TEXAS RISING COUNSELING SERVICES - WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!
Body Image
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
What is Body Image? We all have an image in our minds of how we look and we may evaluate that image in a positive, negative or neutral way. It is important to realise that the term body image does not refer to how you actually look. An image of something is merely a representation of the real thing. For example, a photograph is a visual representation of the object or person in the photograph, and a memory is a mental representation of a past event. Body image therefore refers to a representation that you have of your physical appearance. From time to time most people will feel dissatisfied with some aspect of their appearance, such as thinking they are too short, wishing they had a smoother complexion or a smaller nose. However, some individuals may hold a particularly negative and sometimes distorted view of one or more aspects of their appearance, which can signal a body image problem.
Do I Have a Body Image Problem?
· Do you spend a great deal of time focussed on a particular aspect of your appearance?
· Do you view a particular part of your body as being flawed or defective in some way?
· Do you go to great lengths to improve or conceal the area of concern?
· Have you noticed that your efforts to improve or conceal your perceived flaw are impacting on your life in a negative way?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you are likely experiencing a body image problem, and may meet criteria for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. (Note: While Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Eating Disorders are both thought of as body image problems, they require different treatment approaches. If your bodily concerns are primarily weight/shape related and you have changed your eating patterns because of this, you should speak with your doctor about the possibility of having an What is Body Image?
We all have an image in our minds of how we look and we may evaluate that image in a positive, negative or neutral way. It is important to realise that the term body image does not refer to how you actually look. An image of something is merely a representation of the real thing. For example, a photograph is a visual representation of the object or person in the photograph, and a memory is a mental representation of a past event. Body image therefore refers to a representation that you have of your physical appearance. From time to time most people will feel dissatisfied with some aspect of their appearance, such as thinking they are too short, wishing they had a smoother complexion or a smaller nose.
However, some individuals may hold a particularly negative and sometimes distorted view of one or more aspects of their appearance, which can signal a body image problem. Do I Have a Body Image Problem? · Do you spend a great deal of time focussed on a particular aspect of your appearance? · Do you view a particular part of your body as being flawed or defective in some way? · Do you go to great lengths to improve or conceal the area of concern? · Have you noticed that your efforts to improve or conceal your perceived flaw are impacting on your life in a negative way? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you are likely experiencing a body image problem, and may meet criteria for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. (Note: While Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Eating Disorders are both thought of as body image problems, they require different treatment approaches. If your bodily concerns are primarily weight/shape related and you have changed your eating patterns because of this, you should speak with your doctor about the possibility of having an eating disorder) eating disorder.