Our relationship with our body is the longest relationship any of us will have. It is normal to feel comfortable in our body most of the time, and to have some days when we really like our body and other days where we do not. However, some people spend most days disliking or worrying about their body (or parts of their body) to the point that it takes over their thoughts and how they spend their time.
Develop a Healthier Relationship with Your Body
Feeling dissatisfied with your appearance can have a profound impact on your confidence, relationships and quality of life. For some people, body image concerns become so overwhelming that they dominate daily life, making it difficult to enjoy social situations, focus at work or feel comfortable in their own skin.
At Peaceful Mind Psychology, our psychologists provide evidence-based body dysmorphia treatment and support for poor body image. Whether your concerns relate to your whole body or a specific feature, therapy can help you develop a healthier and more compassionate relationship with your appearance.
What Is Poor Body Image?
Everyone has days where they feel less confident about their appearance. However, poor body image goes beyond occasional dissatisfaction.
Poor body image involves placing a high value on appearance and believing that how you look determines your worth, confidence or how likeable you are. It can lead to constant self-criticism, anxiety and behaviours aimed at changing, hiding or improving your appearance.
For some people, these concerns develop into Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), where an individual becomes intensely preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance that are often minor or not noticeable to others.
Signs and Symptoms of Poor Body Image or Body Dysmorphic Disorder
You may benefit from speaking with a psychologist if you experience:
- Constant worry about your appearance or a particular body part.
- Frequently checking mirrors, weighing yourself or comparing your appearance with others.
- Avoiding mirrors, photographs or wearing clothes that reveal your body.
- Believing your appearance determines your value or how others perceive you.
- Spending excessive time applying makeup, styling your appearance or choosing clothing.
- Frequent dieting, excessive exercise or repeated attempts to change your appearance.
- Considering or repeatedly seeking cosmetic procedures to fix perceived flaws.
- Feeling distressed, anxious or depressed because of your appearance.
- Having a distorted perception of your body that negatively impacts your self-esteem.
How Can Poor Body Image Affect Your Life?
Living with poor body image can be exhausting. Many people spend significant amounts of time, energy and money trying to change their appearance, only to feel increasingly dissatisfied.
Poor body image can affect many areas of life, including:
- Reduced confidence and self-esteem.
- Anxiety and depression.
- Difficulty concentrating at work or study because thoughts are focused on appearance.
- Avoiding social situations or feeling disconnected from others.
- Strain on friendships and intimate relationships.
- Development of disordered eating or an eating disorder through repeated dieting and food restriction.
- Medical complications from extreme dieting, excessive exercise or other attempts to change appearance.
Over time, this often becomes a vicious cycle—the more effort invested in changing appearance, the more attention is focused on perceived flaws, reinforcing body dissatisfaction.
Why Does Poor Body Image Develop?
Poor body image rarely develops because of one single event. Instead, it is usually influenced by a combination of experiences throughout life.
Common contributing factors include:
Bullying
Being teased or bullied about appearance can lead people to believe something is fundamentally wrong with how they look, creating long-lasting self-consciousness.
Family and Role Modelling
Children often learn what is important by observing their parents. Growing up in a family where appearance, dieting or body criticism was common can increase vulnerability to poor body image.
Media and Social Media
Constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards can influence how we evaluate ourselves. Although many people believe advertising doesn’t affect them, repeated exposure shapes our expectations of what bodies “should” look like.
Sport, Dance and Performance
Sports, gymnastics and dance often place significant emphasis on appearance and body shape, increasing the risk of body dissatisfaction.
Physical Differences
Growing up feeling different from peers—for example because of height, weight, puberty or visible differences—can contribute to ongoing body image concerns.
Body Dysmorphia Treatment
There are several evidence-based therapies that have been shown to be effective for poor body image and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Depending on your individual needs, your psychologist may use approaches such as:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Metacognitive Therapy (MCT)
- Guided Online CBT programs where appropriate
Treatment focuses on helping you:
- Reduce preoccupation with your appearance.
- Challenge unhelpful beliefs about body image.
- Reduce checking and avoidance behaviours.
- Develop greater self-acceptance.
- Build confidence that isn’t based solely on appearance.
- Re-engage in valued activities and relationships.
Poor Body Image and Eating Disorders
Poor body image is one of the strongest risk factors for developing an eating disorder. Attempts to change body shape through dieting or restrictive eating can sometimes progress into more serious eating difficulties.
At Peaceful Mind Psychology, our psychologists have extensive experience supporting individuals with poor body image as well as eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and OSFED.
Learn more about our Eating Disorder Treatment services.
Why Choose Peaceful Mind Psychology for Body Dysmorphia Treatment?
Peaceful Mind Psychology has a special interest in treating poor body image and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Our experienced psychologists understand how distressing appearance concerns can become and provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your individual needs.
With psychologists experienced in both body image concerns and eating disorders, we take the time to carefully match you with a psychologist whose expertise best fits your goals and experiences.
We are conveniently located across several suburbs in inner Melbourne and via Telehealth Australia wide. Contact us today to be personally matched with a psychologist who is passionate about treating poor body image.
For some self-help, The Butterfly Foundation have curated a helpful list of strategies to improve your body image.