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Body Image
 Body Image is often a central issue
for individuals with eating disorders. The body can be looked at as a canvas that
the eating disorder individual paints their inner emotions on. Self-worth is often
entangled with physical appearance. As an example of how emotions can be tied to
our bodies, complete the following word association questionnaire:
Write the first word or words that come to mind when you read the following words:
Fat ___________________________
Hips __________________________
Stomach ______________________
Thighs ________________________
Buttock _______________________
Overweight ____________________
For the word fat, did you think of a substance necessary for the proper functioning
of the major organs, including the brain? Or for the word thighs, did you
think of a major muscle group necessary for walking upright? Unfortunately the words
usually associated with our body parts are negative in connotation. Individuals
are usually more comfortable talking about those parts of the body they dislike
than those they do like.
To begin to develop more positive feelings towards our bodies, it is helpful to
look at our first experiences in learning about our bodies. During infancy, physical
sensations of the body are the way we begin to formulate the separate sense of ourselves
from an otherwise seemingly shapeless and boundless space. How we feel about our
bodies developed in direct response to how our caregivers treated our bodies during
infancy and childhood. The ways in which we were touched, held, caressed and nurtured
even before we could communicate sent us the message about how we should feel about
our bodies. Individuals who were touched apathetically, held insecurely and neglected
often develop poor and distorted body images later in life.
During childhood we explored our bodies. If we were told that touching ourselves
was "bad" we could have inferred the message that our bodies were something to be
ashamed of. Comments about weight and teasing by family members can also lead to
negative feelings about one's body. Not only the messages we received about our
own bodies, but also, how our parents related to their own bodies influenced our
level of body image acceptance. Parents who displayed dissatisfaction with their
bodies were likely to have children with body image disturbances. Families of eating
disordered individuals also tend to be overly concerned with physical attractiveness
and social appearance.
During adolescence the influence of peers became important. Self monitoring and
comparing ourselves to others becomes central to our psyche. This may have been
a time when we were particularly vulnerable to images in the media and the pressures
from our peers. As our bodies developed and changed, how others and we reacted to
these changes influenced our eventual body perception. Accepting and supporting
these body changes is especially important for an adolescent girl's father. If a
father feels uncomfortable or threatened about his daughter going through puberty
and subsequently distances himself from his daughter, the adolescent girl may also
try and reject her changing body. Other possible catalysts to a poor body image
could have included sexual abuse, physical abuse, domineering coaches and controlling
relationships.
Not only a poor body image but also an overemphasis on appearance can lead to an
eating disorder. Being labeled as a beauty can be both a blessing and a curse. When
a child gets attention, admiration, and acceptance mainly for their looks, their
self-worth can become intertwined with their appearance. Any real or perceived physical
flaw is viewed as a flaw in their very essence. Their physical appearance becomes
indistinguishable from their identity. They will often do what ever it takes to
continue to get the attention for their looks.This is often the case for individuals
who were once the ugly duckling and have since blossomed into a swan.For these individuals,
nothing is worse than the fear that they may return to their perceived unattractive
state.
So now that we know some of the influences of body perception, how do we begin to
develop a positive body image? In essence we de-program ourselves from the negative
messages we have internalized over the years. You can accomplish this by connecting
with, taking ownership of, and appreciating your body. Start by making a list of
the parts of your body you like and the amazing things you can do with your body.
You are probably more use to and comfortable with concentrating on those aspects
of your body that you dislike, but instead concentrate on the positive. Constantly
weighing yourself can be a negative experience that can lead to dissatisfaction
and obsession. Many individuals who have come through our program have chosen to
smash their scales and in the process have freed themselves from having their emotions
tied to a number that has nothing at all to do with who they really are. It will
also be important for you to re-program yourself by replacing any false messages
you have received about how you should look with realistic goals that take into
account the beauty and uniqueness of you. You may even want to avoid and not purchase
fashion magazines that promote a body type that fits less then three percent of
the population. Lastly, take time to give yourself the things your body needs. You
may be familiar with nutritionally nourishing your body but you also need to emotionally
nourish your body.
We have discussed how images of our own bodies may have been influenced by our experiences
during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Fortunately, as adults, we have the
opportunity to deprogram ourselves and hopefully reverse these negative images.
As humans we all need to be touched, caressed and pampered. At Rader Programs, we
help individuals find ways to receive these essentials in their life.
For more information or to arrange for a free confidential consultation, call
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