Is your mood tied to how your body looks on any given day? Does the thought of being in a photo make you want to run away? The way you feel about your body can have a strong impact on your self-worth and on your relationships with others. Discover the subtle ways your body image influences your mental health— and simple steps to regain control.
What is Body Image?
Body image is your personal perception of your body—how you see it, how you feel about it, and how you believe others see you. Body image is more than how we see ourselves in the mirror—it’s the mental and emotional relationship we have with our bodies.
Body Image exists on a spectrum. Some people have relationships with their bodies that are rooted in feelings of positivity, acceptance or gratitude. Others have relationships with their bodies that are difficult or dissatisfying, resulting in feelings of negativity, shame, or intolerance.
What makes the difference? Negative body image is often caused by a combination of cultural messages, unrealistic beauty standards, and early life experiences that teach us our worth is tied to appearance. Sometimes body image concerns can occur as a result of a major transition, like during postpartum or when starting a new relationship, or after a difficult experience like chronic illness or pain. Factors like trauma, discrimination, or identity-based stigma can also play a significant role in shaping how we see and feel about our bodies.
Understanding Body Image and Mental Health
Body image is deeply connected to mental health. When we don’t feel good about our bodies (or feel good IN our bodies) it’s difficult to be present with our bodies, take care of our bodies, and acknowledge what our bodies are feeling.
Research shows that a negative body image can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and low self-esteem. It’s not just about dissatisfaction with appearance; it’s how that dissatisfaction impacts your daily life, mood, and ability to feel safe and grounded in your body.
If you’ve ever felt like your self-worth fluctuates based on your weight, skin, or appearance, or you’ve avoided events because of how you feel in your body—that’s body image impacting your mental health.
Why Body Image Concerns May Be More Prevalent for Women and LGBTQ+ Folx
Body image issues can feel especially intense for women and LGBTQ+ folx because of how often we’re told—directly or indirectly—that our bodies are wrong, not enough, or don’t belong.
Women are frequently socialized to equate their value with physical appearance, while LGBTQ+ folx may experience body dissatisfaction due to gender dysphoria, exclusion from mainstream ideals, or the pressure to conform within specific subcultures.
These intersecting stressors can create a heightened vulnerability to internalizing negative body beliefs, which can significantly impact mental health over time. For many, this leads to chronic self-comparison, shame, and disconnection from bodies that start to feel “wrong”.
Is Body Image Impacting Your Mental Health?
Use the following questions as a guide to help you determine if your body image is impacting your relationships with others or the way you feel about yourself.
- Do I avoid situations (like dating, intimacy, or social gatherings) due to concerns about my appearance?
- How often does my body image get in the way of my ability to enjoy my life?
- Do I tie my worth or feelings of productivity to how my body looks on any given day?
- How often do I avoid photographs because I’m uncomfortable with how I look?
- Do I spend more time, money, or energy that I would like on trying to “fix” my appearance?
- How often is body image is impacting my mood or my stress level?
- Does the way that I feel about my body impact the way that I am eating or exercising?
BODY IMAGE THERAPY IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Improve Your Body Image with Therapy
If you notice that body image is impacting your mental health, you don’t have to keep managing these feelings on your own. Therapy offers a safe space to explore the roots of body image struggles while building skills like emotional regulation, self-acceptance, and body awareness. We’ll work together to identify the root cause of your body image distress and begin to address factors that influence the way you feel about yourself and your relationships with others. You’ll practice reconnecting with your body through grounding techniques and gentle cognitive shifts, so it becomes a place of safety—not shame.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Hi, I'm Jessica!
As a trauma-informed, inclusive body image therapist I hold space for all body stories, including those shaped by trauma, identity, cultural expectations, and systemic oppression. I work collaboratively with my clients to shift patterns that leave them disconnected from their bodies so they can become more confident in who they are.
Let’s work together to help you feel more connected, empowered, and at peace in your body.