Body Image Issues
Body image concerns impact most people in some way. They become problematic when they lead to disordered eating, multiple plastic surgeries, or reach levels of obsession, for example. These behaviors exist on the spectrum of addictive behaviors and range in intensity on a continuum (e.g., bothersome problem to severe or life threatening difficulty). Disordered eating and/or a problematic body image can co-occur with other addictions or surface as a new problem during recovery. As with a drug or other behavior problem, unhealthy body image focus serves as a different way to avoid the things that lead to use and/or other problem.
Developing a healthy body image is a process not unlike treating other addictive behaviors in that the person works to understand and modify beliefs that have little basis in fact. As with any behavioral concern, the individual must first identify the problem. More than just don’t think that way, a person must identify the triggers for the body focus while also cultivating more adaptive coping skills.
For body image problems, any or all of the following may surface (it is noted that several of the signs overlap with signs of an eating disorder; although different problems, they are related):
- Severely restricting one’s caloric intake
- Eating only certain or safe foods; eating with only plastic utensils
- Hording food, cook books, or recipes
- Weighing oneself multiple times per day
- The person’s mood and behavior depends on his or her weight, inches around the waist, size of pants, or positive feedback on appearance
- Self-esteem nearly completely depends upon the individual’s looks or how he or she feels about his or her body on that particular day
- Pinching and/or measuring one’s body
- Binging (eating and excessive amount of food in a short period of time)
- Purging (self-induced vomiting, eating then restricting calories for days, laxative abuse, excessive exercising)
- Frequent comments about being ugly, fat, or not one of the beautiful people;
- Multiple plastic surgeries
- Sudden weight loss/gain, chipmunk cheeks, callus on the index finger and/or knuckles
Body image problems can progress from going on a diet to an eating disorder or body dysmorphia in a relatively short period of time. Cultivating a healthy body image helps people feel more secure in themselves, their relationships, and navigate conflicts or daily stressors more effectively.