What It Looks Like to Struggle with:

Body Image

 

Common Signs & Symptoms of Struggling with Body Image:

Physical Signs of Body Image Struggles

  • Frequently checking or avoiding mirrors

  • Excessive grooming or appearance-focused behaviors

  • Skin picking or body “fixing” habits

  • Changes in posture to hide parts of the body

  • Fluctuations in eating or exercise patterns (e.g., restriction, over-exercising)

  • Gastrointestinal discomfort or tension related to body distress

Behavioral Signs of Body Image Struggles

  • Avoiding social events, photos, or certain clothing

  • Constantly comparing your body to others

  • Seeking reassurance or validation about your appearance

  • Engaging in frequent body checking (weighing, pinching, measuring)

  • Excessive time spent getting ready or planning outfits to "hide" your body

  • Skipping meals or exercising as a way to "make up for" how you feel about your body

Emotional Signs of Body Image Struggles

  • Feeling ashamed, anxious, or disgusted about your body

  • Mood heavily influenced by how your body looks or feels that day

  • Low self-worth tied to weight, shape, or appearance

  • Feeling “not good enough” or “unlovable” because of how you look

  • Preoccupation with perceived flaws that interferes with daily life

  • Emotional distress when seeing your body in photos or reflections