Tag: Body Image

Body Image Psychologist
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Transforming body-loathing into self-love

Sherry-Lee Smith Child, Adolescent, Adult, Psychologist. Perth, WA

Sherry-Lee Smith – Psychologist, Perth WA

Body Image Psychologist

I recently returned to the gym after an extensive time of being away. This time away allowed me to  experience it with new eyes and a little more wisdom. Many of us living in a western society tend to see our body as who we are. We are bombarded by unrealistic ideals about what we should look like and who we should be, as if our body is the most important part of who we are. Guess what? You are not your body nor are you your mind. We tend to over identify with both of these things. Who you really are is the consciousness which can observe both the body and the mind;  the essence that uses the body and the mind as vehicles to fulfil a unique purpose. That is who you really are and what you are here for. This over identification with the body and the mind over our true selves perpetuates a living hell for people who suffer with body image issues. For many of the people I work with whether they come seeking help for eating disorders, compulsive exercise, weight loss difficulties, or body image issues, the gym environment can become a place of self-punishment, body-loathing and self-hatred. Many people on the process of recovery at some point or another want to avoid working out because it triggers their body image issues. However, avoidance isn’t the answer. You can use your triggers to work your way from body-loathing to self-love, taking your focus away from your body image and towards who you really are.

Practical tips to help you on your journey;

  • Refrain from comparing yourself to others. This only perpetuates the preoccupation with your body image and weight. Everyone is on their own journey. Try catching yourself when you compare yourself to others and move your focus of attention elsewhere.
  • Refrain from checking how your body looks. You can focus instead on perfecting your form rather than your body.
  • Engage mindfully in your exercise routine. Exercise can be used as an active meditation. Allow any outside thoughts to come but don’t get attached to them, especially the critical ones about your body. Let them go and refocus your attention on what you are doing.
  • Focus on health, fitness or achievement related goals rather than body image or weight goals. Small goals in these areas will get results faster and keep you motivated.
  • Take your focus away from how many calories you are burning. This only serves to reinforce the cycle the punishment and unhealthy preoccupation with food and weight.
  • Focus on the gift your body gives you. In between sets stop and close your eyes, focus on your heart and become aware of how your heart beats and the gift it is giving you by pumping blood around your body, keeping you alive and well. This act of gratitude towards the body shifts your focus from body-loathing to self-love. Love and appreciate everything it has to offer. Even if you don’t believe it at first, find something to be grateful for.
  • Find some time to contemplate your positive qualities and how you can use them to serve others. Focus on your strengths and the gifts you have to give the world.
  • Remember that the body is merely a vehicle. It deserves your love, respect and a healthy lifestyle but at the end on the day it’s really just a means to an end. It’s meant to help you accomplish something far more important than looking good. You are so much more than your body. Find the magnificence within you.

Sherry-Lee Smith is a psychologist who works in private practice in Mt Lawley, Perth WA. Sherry is available for consultations with eating disorders, body image issues (including body dysmorphia or muscle dysmorphia), weight loss difficulties, compulsive exercise as well as other mental health issues. If you would like further information about her services please click here.

Related Articles

Articles, Body Image and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body Image and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Sherry-Lee Smith Child, Adolescent, Adult, Psychologist. Perth, WA

Registered Psychologist

Perth, Western Australia

Body Image

Body image can be defined as the thoughts and feelings a person has as a result of the perception they hold of their physical self. When you have a healthy body image you value who you are as a person and are comfortable and happy with the way you look. If your self-worth is determined by the way you look you may have an unhealthy body image. If you think your body is unattractive or not good enough and you are fixated on trying to change or hide it you probably have a negative body image.

The social environment in which you live can have a significant influence on the development of a negative or unhealthy body image. The people you surround yourself with and the media you are exposed to impact on how you think and feel about your appearance. You have a higher risk of developing a negative body image when you live in an ‘appearance orientated environment’. This means that if you spend most of your time in the company of people who focus on appearance you are more likely to think negatively about the way you look. Receiving negative feedback from those around you about your appearance also puts you at an increased risk of developing an unhealthy body image. Furthermore, exposure to unrealistic and unattainable body images through the media creates the erroneous perception that you will only find love, happiness and success by living up to the ideal body image.

Body image concerns can create a great deal of distress for many people. When these concerns impair a person’s ability to function in everyday life there is a possibility that they have developed a psychological disorder such as an eating disorder or body dysmorphic disorder.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder or Body Dysmorphia

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is relatively common, yet often under-recognised or misdiagnosed. People who suffer from body dysmorphia judge their sense of self primarily by their appearance. They often experience shame and embarrassment around the way they look. These individuals may experience low self-esteem and feelings of being unlovable or unworthy as well as a sensitivity to rejection. Feelings of defectiveness related to their appearance are also common.

Individuals with body dysmorphia have a preoccupation with a perceived defect in their appearance. This obsession commonly focuses on one or multiple body parts that the person finds ugly or ‘not right’ in some way. Often these worries centre on facial features, skin or hair, however any body part can be the focus, as well as overall appearance or build. Over time this preoccupation can change from one body part to another. Sometimes a person with body dysmorphia has a general perception of themselves as unattractive or ugly. A person with body dysmorphia will find these obsessions distressing and the thoughts are likely to impair their daily functioning.

BDD is an obsessive-compulsive related disorder. When a person with body dysmorphia experiences these preoccupations they will engage in compulsive behaviour aimed at reducing their anxiety over their physical appearance. This behaviour is directed at disguising, improving and examining the defect and may include;

  • Comparing their appearance to others
  • Mirror checking
  • Excessive grooming (hair cutting, make-up application, shaving, hair styling etc.)
  • Seeking reassurance from others about their appearance or attempting to convince others of the defects ugliness
  • Skin picking
  • Dieting
  • Excessive exercising
  • Steroid use
  • Camouflaging (with a hat, clothes, make-up, sunglasses etc.)
  • Pursuing dermatological treatment or cosmetic surgery

The compulsive behaviour seen in people with body dysmorphia is time-consuming, distressing and difficult to control. Unfortunately the behaviour that is aimed at reducing anxiety inevitably increases anxiety in the long term (even if the anxiety is temporarily reduced).

Age of onset

Body Dysmorphic Disorder usually starts in adolescence, although it can begin as early as childhood. Adolescence is a time when many young people have appearance concerns. However when body dysmorphic symptoms are seen in these age groups it should not automatically be dismissed as a normal adolescent concern. Due to the embarrassment and shame experienced by sufferers, BDD often remains undiagnosed until 10-15 years after onset.

Factors that contribute to the development of body dysmorphia

There are various theories regarding what causes BDD. Some theories focus on individual or social factors, while others focus on biological causes. Factors that contribute the development of body dysmorphic may include;

  • A genetic predisposition or vulnerability in neurobiological functioning
  • Individual and personality factors – such as shyness, a tendency to be self-critical, insecurity, perfectionism or an anxious temperament
  • Negative early life experiences or childhood adversity – for example teasing or bullying (either about appearance or competence), poor peer relationships, social isolation, lack of support in the family or childhood abuse
  • Traumatic experiences – such as physical or sexual assault

How medical treatment or counselling/psychotherapy can help

BDD can be more persistent and therefore more difficult to treat than other psychological disorders. However, those who engage in treatment fare better than those who don’t. When patients are persistent with treatment symptoms can improve.

The use of a group of anti-depressants called serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SRIs) appear to be helpful in treating body dysmorphia. However, higher doses usually need to be used than those found to be effective with depression. Often patients don’t see improvements for at least 8-16 weeks, which is much longer than responses for depression. Generally it is recommended that patients stay on medication for a minimum of 1 year.

Psychological treatment can also help people with body dysmorphia in the following ways;

  • Developing an understanding of how and why body dysmorphia occurs
  • Developing an understanding of the factors that maintain body dysmorphia
  • Identifying and challenging unhelpful thinking
  • Addressing past trauma/s
  • Addressing compulsive behaviours through behavioural exercises
  • Improving social skills
  • Identifying and addressing the impact of body dysmorphia
  • Developing an alternative view of the self
  • Addressing socio-cultural factors of body dysmorphia
  • Treating co-occurring mental health issues

Tips to help with body image issues or body dysmorphia

  • Set health related goals rather than goals focused on appearance
  • Avoid negative self-talk
  • Avoid comparing yourself to others, especially celebrities and other people in the media
  • Focus on your positive qualities and skills
  • Limit your exposure to relationships and media that focus on appearance (studies show people tend to feel worse about their appearance after reading magazines that focus on appearance)
  • Spend time with people who have a healthy relationship with their body
  • Focus on improving yourself in ways that don’t involve appearance
  • Question your media defined ideas of beauty and try to focus on the beauty you see in people you admire
  • Remember there is no right or wrong in regards to your appearance
  • Give yourself a break from the mirror
  • Define yourself in ways other than your appearance

If you are experiencing any difficulties with body image issues and would like help please contact Sherry-Lee Smith on 042 135 1020 or via email on the contact page.

Sherry-Lee Smith

Registered Psychologist

 

Mt Lawley Counselling Centre

13 Alvan St

Mt Lawley,

Perth, Western Australia 6050

Articles, Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders

Sherry-Lee Smith Child, Adolescent, Adult, Psychologist. Perth, WA

Registered Psychologist, Perth, Western Australia

What are eating disorders and disordered eating?

Eating disorders and disordered eating involve problems around eating behaviour, attitudes and beliefs about body shape and weight, and unhealthy weight management. There are many symptoms that are common to eating disorders which include;

  • Dieting
  • Food avoidance
  • Binge eating
  • Excessive exercise
  • Eating rituals (i.e. cutting food into very small pieces, only eating at certain times of the day, weighing food)
  • Skipping meals
  • Fear of fatness
  • Distorted body image
  • Preoccupation with food
  • Preoccupation with body weight
  • Talking and thinking frequently about food, body image and weight
  • Avoiding social situations that involve food or wanting to eat alone
  • Playing with food rather than eating it
  • Going to the bathroom straight after meals
  • Self-acceptance and self-esteem overly based on body image and weight
  • Wearing loose fitting clothing to hide weight loss
  • Unbalanced eating (such as restricting major food groups i.e. carbohydrates)
  • Obesity

Sometimes people with eating disorders engage in what is known as ‘compensatory behaviour’. This is behaviour that compensates for overeating and can include;

  • Extreme dieting
  • Fasting
  • Use of laxative
  • Use of diuretics
  • Self-induced vomiting
  • Excessive exercise

These behaviour traits become a problem for people when they begin to affect physical health, mental health, work performance, academic achievement or engagement in social activities.

Types of eating disorders

In individuals with Anorexia Nervosa you may see the following;

  • Failure or refusal to maintain a normal body weight
  • Intense fear of weight gain and body fat
  • Distorted body image
  • Self-esteem based on thinness
  • Overly restricted diet or binging and purging
  • Absence of menstrual cycle

In individuals with Bulimia Nervosa you may see the following;

  • Binge eating and compensatory behaviour (vomiting, laxative use, excessive exercise etc.)
  • Self-esteem overly based on body image
  • Feelings of loss of control over eating

Individual with Binge Eating Disorder may display the following;

  • Regular periods of binge eating
  • Eating rapidly
  • Eating when not hungry
  • Eating alone
  • No compensatory behaviour (vomiting, laxative use, excessive exercise etc.)
  • Feelings of guilt or disgust after binging

However there are a large number of people who do not meet the strict criteria for the above eating disorders who can be considered to have Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) if the symptoms are still having a significant impact on their quality of life. These people may display the some of the following symptoms;

  • Binge eating
  • Dieting and food control
  • Excessive exercise and other compensatory behaviour (vomiting, laxative use)
  • Fears of weight gain
  • Preoccupation with food, weight and body image
  • Distorted body image
  • Self-acceptance and self-esteem negatively influenced by body image and weight

What causes eating disorders?

There are many factors causing of eating disorders and there is no single consensus between researchers or clinicians as to what the cause is. The development of eating disorders may involve a combination of the following factors and examples;

  • Cultural – the cultural ideal to be thin
  • Social – problematic family relationships or friendships
  • Family of origin issues – adolescents striving for autonomy from the family by controlling their food intake
  • Personality/psychological – depression, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy or loneliness, dealing with painful emotions and gaining a sense of control, perfectionistic personality traits, low self-esteem, disturbances in identity development
  • Neurochemical – there is some speculation about a chemical imbalance (serotonin)
  • Genetics – genetic vulnerability (eating disorders can run in families)
  • Transition periods across the life span

Eating disorders across the lifespan

Although eating disorders are typically thought to occur in adolescent girls, they also occur in children and adults not excluding boys and men. Eating disorders tend to develop in adolescence or young adulthood but they may also develop in young children, middle aged people and the elderly. In midlife and beyond they tend to be underdiagnosed.

Transition periods across the lifespan may trigger the onset or relapse of eating disorders. The transition period between childhood and adolescence, as well as between adolescence and adulthood place youngsters more at risk of developing an eating disorder.

Other developmental transitions or experiences that may trigger disordered eating include;

  • The death of loved one
  • Divorce or widowhood
  • An empty nest (children moving away from home)
  • Loss of youthfulness
  • Pregnancy
  • Menopause and physical signs of aging
  • Marital difficulties
  • Medical illness

It is important for parents to know that the fear of gaining weight and distortions in body perception may not be present in children.

Health, social and psychological aspects of eating disorders

Eating disorders and disordered eating can be very detrimental to a person’s health. This is one of the reasons it is important to seek help and have a doctor involved in your treatment. Physical health consequences may include;

  • Arrested growth
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation and diarrhoea
  • Susceptibility to fractures
  • Delayed menarche and puberty
  • Absence of menstrual cycle
  • Hypotension
  • Dry skin
  • Hypothermia
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Decreased bone density
  • Compression fractures
  • Osteoporosis
  • Infertility
  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure
  • Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beat)
  • Dental problems
  • Reproductive system damage

Many individuals who suffer with eating disorders and disordered eating also have other psychological and social difficulties. Sometimes these other issues start before an eating disorder develops and at other times they can be the result of eating disorders or something that maintains them. Often there will be a complex relationship between these issues and the eating disorder. Some of these issues include;

  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, Social Phobia, Social Anxiety, Agoraphobia and Generalised Anxiety Disorder)
  • Childhood sexual abuse or sexual assault
  • Low self-esteem
  • Perfectionism
  • Avoidance of emotions
  • Difficulty in recognising and controlling emotions
  • Substance use disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Self-harming and suicidal ideation
  • Interpersonal dependency
  • Non-assertive and permissive interpersonal style
  • Avoidance of interpersonal conflict, competition and rivalry
  • Struggles to fill the ‘perfect’ role in the family of origin

How counselling/psychotherapy can help?

Many people with eating disorders or disordered eating patterns do not seek help. However it is imperative that people struggling with these issues seek treatment sooner rather than later, especially in childhood and adolescence. The longer these difficulties are present the more entrenched the thoughts and behaviour becomes, the harder it is to make changes. The most effective treatment involves the support of a psychologist/counsellor/psychotherapist, a general practitioner, a dietician and possibly a psychiatrist. Visiting any of these professionals to discuss disordered eating is a good start.

Psychological treatment may address the issue directly (through addressing the symptoms) or may target the underlying causes of the eating disorder (addressing relationship issues etc). It can help in the following ways;

  • Establishing healthy patterns of eating and exercise
  • Identifying the thoughts and beliefs that cause or maintain disordered eating and challenging them
  • Changing behaviour that maintains the eating disorder
  • Identifying and addressing interpersonal difficulties
  • Learning emotion regulation skills
  • Gaining insight and addressing issues around role transitions, grief and loss, unresolved relationship issues
  • Improving self-esteem and self-acceptance
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Developing coping strategies
  • Improving relationship and communication skills
  • Mindfulness skills (detaching from distressing emotions)
  • Managing relationships
  • Building autonomy
  • Education around realistic weight expectations, healthy eating patterns etc
  • Identity development
  • Preventing relapse

If you are experiencing any difficulties with eating disorders or disordered eating and would like help with this please contact Sherry-Lee Smith on 042 135 1020 or via email on the contact page.

Sherry-Lee Smith

Registered Psychologist

Mt Lawley Counselling Centre

13 Alvan St

Mt Lawley WA 6050