How Body Image Impacts our Mental Health
By Emma Mahony, MA | Therapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What is body image?
Body image is the mental picture and perception that someone has of their own body — and the corresponding feelings and thoughts that follow. This includes one's core beliefs about their body, how someone physically views themself, and how they believe others are perceiving them. It’s especially hard to maintain a healthy body image today as one is constantly inundated with messages about what the “ideal” physical appearance should look like. The media is incessantly advertising and suggesting that altering your body and achieving a new standard will make you more appealing and accepted. Social media apps allow one to modify their image so drastically that people begin comparing themselves to a filtered and unrealistic version that someone could have created on their phone. Additionally, a range of personal experiences, messages, and generalizations contribute to one’s relationships with their body image. How someone feels and experiences their body affects how they treat their body and dissatisfaction with one’s body can lead to conditions such as anxiety, low self esteem, body dysmorphia, depression, or a disordered relationship with food and exercise.
Signs you are struggling with your body image:
Negative self talk around your body - Do you find yourself engaging in a negative dialogue regarding your body internally or externally with peers? How we talk about our body is a key indicator of our beliefs about our body.
A lot of your thoughts are consumed about food and weight - Are a lot of your thoughts consumed by what you ate, are going to eat, or how your body looks? This can make it difficult to feel present and enjoy life, and cause us to feel disconnected from ourselves and those around us.
Shame around appearance - Do you have internalized beliefs or memories regarding weight and appearance? You may have grown up and internalized these generalizations as true, therefore struggling today to accept your body.
How therapy can help:
There are various factors that influence how someone thinks and feels about their body, and discussing them with a therapist can help. A therapist can allow you the safe space to express your views regarding your body, and work through ways to restructure and reframe your thoughts and beliefs. You may be struggling with past memories and experiences that influenced a negative relationship with your body, and working through them with a professional can allow you to understand the implications it is having on your overall mental health.
About the Author
Emma Mahony, MA is a therapist practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Emma works with individuals struggling with body image and self esteem. She uses a holistic approach to look at the whole picture of how people are impacted and what is causing their symptoms. To learn more about Emma or to schedule click here.
About A Better Life Therapy
A Better Life Therapy supports individuals, couples, and families to create a better life for themselves and their loved ones through navigating mental health challenges, improving their relationships, learning new life and relational skills, and building a healthy sense of self. Whether you are facing a difficulty or are looking to take a proactive approach to your mental wellness, we are here.
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A Better Life Therapy offers face to face and virtual therapy. See our locations below. We are continuing to add new states so if you do not see your state listed please check with us at info@abetterlifetherapy.com
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