Introduction:
Body image is not a simple concept as it sounds , there are varied aspects of an individual's body image:
- How you see your body
- How you feel about your body
- How you think about your body
Basically it involves 2 elements - a mental picture and one's attitude towards the body. A person's body image is influenced by a number of social factors - family, friends, media and culture.
Signs and Symptoms:
You can identify by the following signs if someone has a negative body image:
- Feel unworthy or unattractive
- Never satisfied with one's appearance
- Constantly trying to improve appearance by taking extreme measures
- Prioritize appearance over health
- Associate self worth with expectations on external appearance
- Directly link happiness with unrealistic goals related to appearance
Causes:
Sharing a few common factors that contribute to negative body image or body dysmorphia:
- Childhood Bullying due to physical appearance
- Too much emphasis by family on physical appearance
- Excessive dieting by a family member or close relative
- Peer Pressure, belonging to a community that focusses too much on physical appearance
Happetive, your mental wellbeing companion, understands the importance of mental health in daily life. We offer Self-Help Tools and self-care resources, with Therapy Support available whenever you need it.