What is Body Image Distress?
As a dietitian working in the mental health space and the eating disorder space I am often working with clients on nutrition alongside body image. Many eating disorders have a body image component to them, and it typically affects relationships with food and nutrition. Body Image Distress is not a clinical diagnosis, although if it is to a severe degree an individual could be diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder or Body Dysmorphia.
Body image distress is a mental health condition that involves dissatisfaction with one’s body and/or appearance. It can lead an individual to make many disordered decisions with food and nutrition and encourage one to engage in behaviors such as dieting, body checking, compulsive exercise, plastic surgery. Not all individuals with eating disorders have body image distress, and not everyone with body image distress will have an eating disorder. I have found that due to the very image based and fatphobic society we live in, many individuals struggle with body image distress especially during adolescence.
Signs of Body Image Distress
Intense focus on body
Body checking – focusing on mirrors, pulling at skin, taking multiple photos to view body, etc.
Comparison with other bodies
Discomfort in one’s body
Avoidance of social activities or conditions where bodies may be on display (ex: gymnastics, swimming, etc.)
Avoiding mirrors
Seeking reassurance regarding body image from others
Equating worth to body image
Fear of gaining weight
Engagement in disordered behaviors to maintain current size, or lose weight
Treatment for Body Image Distress
The treatment for body image distress includes a mixture of various therapies. It is advised that an individual struggling with body image works with a therapist who specializes in body image and Health at Every Size support. There are also coaches who focus on body image support and helping clients move past their distress.
Resources for Body Image Distress
Bri Campos (@bodyimagewithbri)
One of my favorite body image resources is literally everything from Bri Campos with Body Image with Bri. I find her resources to be incredibly helpful to utilize with clients. She hits the nail on the head with everything and I often find my clients saying, “this perfectly explains how I am feeling right now!”. Validation and the act of being seen can provide so much to a client.
Dove Self Esteem Project
I have begun learning more about the Dove Self Esteem Project and enjoying seeing the guides they have created for young folks. I absolutely love the idea of a beauty industry company focusing on the importance of body image support and wellbeing. I am not saying it’s all HAES aligned or focusing on eating disorders. But I view it as more of a preventative measure to try and arm our young people with the strongest foundation body image wise.
Check out our resources pages for individuals, parents, and providers for more body image focused resources.
We’d Love to Hear From You!
Note to Self Nutrition LLC is an outpatient dietetics practice specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, women’s health and fertility including PCOS, endometriosis, and hormonal imbalances, diabetes and prediabetes, disordered eating, along with other chronic health conditions such as heart health, hypertension, and kidney disease. Owner and dietitian Lauren Hirschhorn-Tieu is passionate about empowering individuals to build trust with their relationship with food and their body. Lauren provides multiple services including nutritional counseling, recovery coaching, supervision and nutrition presentations. In person availability is offered in Denver. Virtual telehealth services are offered in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Colorado, and Florida. We would be honored to join you on your journey to discovering food and body peace!
Contact us for more information regarding our services offered. To schedule a discovery call please visit this link. Be sure to visit our website and sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page.
