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While eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are mental health conditions, they develop from a number of interlocking factors, and one of the biggest is cultural or social expectations around appearance.
Problems with body image commonly develop alongside certain societal pressures to stay thin, lean, muscular, or outwardly appearing as masculine or feminine. These types of body image concerns are frequently a driving factor in the development or maintenance of eating disorders.
Taking time to understand the source of negative body image can help people understand where these misguided thoughts or ideas come from, and help create a pathway for self-acceptance and healing.
One of the biggest sources of low self esteem and body dissatisfaction is exposure to media images, including the types of bodies commonly featured in advertisements or other content featured online, in print, or in other forms of mass media.
The concepts have long been studied and considered connected, with one study positively correlating the amount of time women spent looking at fashion magazines to not only poor body image but disordered eating behaviors.1
Newer studies conducted since the internet has become a near-constant in most people's lives have shown that exposure to social media images and other online experiences can lead to an even larger correlation with negative body image and eating disorder behaviors.3
By and large, the images perpetuated by popular media are of slender females and lean, muscular males. Filters, photoshop, and other slick editing tools can make these images even more unrealistic, setting literally impossible-to-achieve beauty standards that can eat away even more at positive body image and contribute to eating disorders or other mental health concerns.
Negative body image as a marketing tool
Showcasing attractive people with unattainable beauty may have a negative impact on peoples' mental and physical health, but it has a number of benefits for the companies behind the content.
Beauty has long been associated with greater sales, and this concept has been proven over the years in a number of studies.4 The overall idea is that "beautiful people use this product," or using a certain product will make someone more beautiful.
At the same time, this exposure sets up a constant state of comparison, which can also lead to body image issues. But advertisers can also profit off of this. The beauty industry was valued at more than $500 billion in the U.S. alone in 2019, benefiting from selling everything from makeup to self-care treatments to weight loss aids.5
From an advertising perspective, the goal is to keep consumers as dissatisfied with their bodies as possible, for as long as possible, to encourage more spending.6 Unfortunately, younger generations have been found to be exposed to this type of marketing at a very young age, potentially contributing to higher rates of self-esteem deficiency and other mental health consequences.6,7
Body dysmorphic disorder and body image
Another issue that can contribute to body dissatisfaction is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). This mental health condition is characterized by an all-consuming obsession with seemingly nonexistent or slight perceived defects in physical appearance, coupled with intensive feelings of embarrassment, shame, or anxiety.8
Individuals dealing with BDD believe that they look abnormal, unattractive, ugly, overweight, or deformed, fixating on the perceived issue to a point where it becomes disruptive to their daily life. Sadly, many people struggling with this condition seek out extreme measures to alleviate their fixation, including numerous cosmetic surgeries and extreme dieting.8
It's important to note that feeling unhappy with one’s appearance or body weight is not the same as BDD. While poor body image can be detrimental, BDD is a mental health disorder whose effects and experiences are frequently connected to other mental health concerns, such as obsessive compulsive disorder or eating disorders.2
Yet BDD can also be impacted by environmental factors. Muscle dysmorphia is a relatively newly discovered variant of BDD, involving a preoccupation with building muscle and a distorted body image of oneself as too small or scrawny. This issue has been primarily connected to males and frequently occurs alongside other disordered eating behaviors.8
What to say to someone with body dysmorphic disorder
If someone you love is struggling with BDD, it can be hard to know how to handle the situation or what to say—some strategies may be more helpful than others.
You can start by offering them the space to talk. Often, it's not what you say to someone that makes a difference, but the act of listening to what they have to say. Knowing they have a safe space to confide their concerns can be a big help to someone with BDD.9
It's also important to attempt to understand their feelings. While you may not understand why someone has a problem with a certain feature or body part, try not to dismiss their concerns, or tell them there's nothing wrong. Instead, work to recognize their distress and anxiety and help in ways that alleviate these feelings.9
You can also help by encouraging them to seek out appropriate medical care. BDD can be an extremely difficult condition to live with. You can offer support by gently reminding them of the benefit of treatment or actively helping them look for places to find help.9
How to overcome body image problems
It can be extremely difficult to overcome something as deeply ingrained as body image problems. But some types of therapy and other treatments have been shown to help grow body satisfaction, self esteem, and acceptance of one's own body shape.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common types of treatment for body image problems.10 Through this type of psychological and behavioral work, someone can learn to recognize unhelpful thought patterns, then utilize different strategies to redirect—and, eventually, eliminate—these types of thoughts.
Another way to limit the impact of negative body image is to try to limit, or at least manage, your social media diet. Going through your social media feeds and eliminating any negative or triggering accounts is a good start. You can also look into ad blocking technology that can help further limit your exposure to potentially triggering images and content.
Those with body dysmorphic disorder may also benefit from additional therapies, such as medication. Consulting a healthcare professional is an important step for people with BDD, as this can help ensure your individual needs are being met and you're receiving the best treatment possible.
You can also speak with our experts at Within Health. Our diverse team of professionals come from a number of backgrounds to help address the many facets of body dissatisfaction, BDD, and disordered eating behavior. And our virtual program can help bring that help to you, no matter where you are.
Help is available
If you or a loved one are struggling with body dysmorphic disorder or intense negative body image, it's never too late to get help and start working toward a happier future.
Give us a call today and learn more about virtual treatment options.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
Yes. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is recognized as an official mental health condition in the DSM-5.
What's the best way to help someone with body dysmorphia?
You can help someone with body dysmorphia by offering them a safe space to share their thoughts and concerns. While it may sound counterintuitive, you shouldn’t tell them that there’s nothing wrong with their body. Instead, try to recognize their anxiety and work toward alleviating that. It may also be helpful to talk to them about potential treatment opportunities.
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