Body Image
Body Image is the way a person views their physical body, self and the thoughts and feelings they experience as because of them.
The feelings people have towards their own bodies can be positive and negative and can also be a combination of both. A person's body image is influenced by a wide range of factors.
What is Body Image?
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How you see your own body may not always be what you actually look like. Sometimes people think about their own bodies as being something they are not. For example a person might think they look and feel overweight when in fact they are not. How a person sees themselves is called their perceptual body image.
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People may like or dislike parts of their bodies or the way they look. The way you feel about your body whether you feel good or bad about it is known as your affective body image.
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People sometimes think that that they will feel better about themselves and their bodies if they make changes to it like, dieting or exercising and in some cases medically altering themselves. The way you think about your body is known as your cognitive body image.
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Sometimes when a person feels poorly about the way they look they may change their behaviour to effect it. Often people employ negative behaviours to try to improve how they feel such as extreme exercise, not eating, over eating. In some cases people may isolate themselves. How you behave in response to how you feel about your own body is known as behavioural body image.
In one of the most famous Dove films, Real Beauty Sketches explores the gap between how others perceive us and how we perceive ourselves. Each woman is the subject of two portraits drawn by FBI-trained forensic artist Gil Zamora: one based on her own description, and the other using a stranger’s observations. The results are surprising
Why is body image important?
We all have a connection to our bodies. Some people have a more positive view of their own bodies while others may not. How a person thinks feels and behaves towards their own body effects their self esteem, self acceptance and how they see themselves in the world.
Having a positive view of your own body can help you to keep on top of daily life, feel more social, have a higher sense of health and wellbeing. You’re more likely to lead a balanced lifestyle and have healthier attitudes towards food and exercise.
Our environment has a big role to play in influencing how we feel about our bodies. Family, friends, teachers, and media all have an impact upon how we view ourselves and it’s not always positively.
Half of the world’s population now uses social media. MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee think that it is fuelling a body image crisis.
Negative body image is widely perceived as solely a young women’s problem. But research by the committee has shown the issue to be wider reaching; over a third of the adults in the UK reported feelings of anxiety or depression from their body image.
The Committee's research found social media platforms are part of many people's everyday routines. They say a mental health crisis linked to this means Government intervention is needed to better protect social media users.
Take a look at the Committee's report summary
You can read the full report here
And follow the Women and Equalities Committee on Twitter
What causes poor body image?
Our body image is affected by many different factors. A persons family, friends, teachers and the media all impact how a person thinks feels and behave towards themselves.
Sometimes a person might experience some kind of negative feedback about their appearance like someone picking or teasing another person. This might increase the likelihood of a person feeling poorly about themselves.
The media have a huge role to play in how we feel about our body image. Every day we are bombarded with images and videos on social media, magazines, TV and film. Often these images are idealised, unrealistic and promote specific body types and appearance ideals.
Often these images are manipulated to accentuate and fabricate the ideal appearance. In reality these looks cannot be achieved. If a person feels unable to compare themselves to these images this can create feelings of dissatisfaction towards themselves and can have a damaging impact on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Selfie Dysmorphia: How social media filters are distorting beauty.
Body Image and Mental Health
The way you view your own body like most feelings can have a negative impact on your mental health.
It’s not unusual for people who struggle with their body image to have difficulty with everyday tasks like eating, getting dressed and sometimes you may find it difficult to even go out with friends.
You may experience periods through your life of poor body image but its most common to have these kinds of thoughts in your younger years, particularly when you are going through puberty.
Puberty happens to everyone, and can sometimes make you feel out of control or anxious.
It can lead to feelings of:
low self esteem, anxiety, depression, overthinking, and obsessing over how you look.
Can body image problems affect our mental health? | BBC Tomorrow's World
This film explores what it is like to live with body dysmorphia and how it can impact physical and mental health.
A film made in collaboration with BBC Tomorrow's World
Talk to them try to help them focus on what they like about themselves and the things that they do well. Try to help them see their good points and the things you like about them.
Make a list of their good points and give it to them to keep for the times they are struggling as a reminder of the good things you like about them.
Sit with your friend in front of a mirror. With them thank your bodies for all the good things it does. You and your friend might find this strange at first, but by doing this together, you can encourage your friend and show them how to see positives in their body. It can help them to learn to love themselves.
If you think they’re feeling overwhelmed, encourage them to see their GP for professional help.
Helping a friend how is struggling with their body image
Further Support
Health Services in Schools Youth Workers
HSIS Youth Workers support young people in Wirral Secondary Schools, Wirral Sixth Form College and Wirral Met College.
Each school/college has a designated HSIS Youth Worker that provides young people with an opportunity to access confidential support on any issues which may be affecting them.
We provide support to young people on a wide range of issues and topics such as: building resilience, reducing risks, healthy relationships, sexual Health (including issuing condoms in some schools) drugs, alcohol, emotional health, Stress and Anxiety.
To find your youth worker visit their page.
Response Counselling Service
The Response counselling service works with young people aged 13-18. It is a free confidential service working with young people with moderate to severe issues which include suicide ideation, self harming, depression, high levels of anxiety bereavement etc.
We also work with the Response Alcohol and drugs team as many referral come for both services. Our work is separate from but alongside CAMHS, sharing risk between the 2 services. The referral system is usually by filling in a referral form and sending it by email unless it’s a parent referring and we can take it over the phone. We can only accept referral if it’s with the consent of the young person.
If a young person mentioned suicide then it’s fine for a worker to talk with them but it does need referring on, talking about suicide will never increase the risk of a young person taking their own life.
Self harm can include many ways , it is a physical way of dealing with an emotion. Again it needs referring on as stopping a young person from harming themselves isn’t going to deal with why they are having to do it.
Response coordinator 01516664123/3783 email barrymarsden@wirral.gov.uk
Emergency-ring 999
hatch
hatch is here to make sure that you have emotional wellbeing support.
Much of the time we are not born with the innate ability to cope with these things on our own.
This is where we can help. hatch provide 1-1 sessions to help develop a range of skills and strategies that can have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Our volunteer mentors support you to complete a computerised CBT skills intervention called Bazaar -that explores which things work best for you. CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which sounds pretty intimidating. What it actually means is learning a way of thinking that helps us face tough times in a positive way.
hatch support Wirral Young People aged 11 -16yrs
To get in touch about accessing hatch please head to our website and complete a referral form via our 'Get in touch' page.
Access is free and immediate.
Twitter: @hatchmerseyside
Instagram: @hatchmerseyside
Website: hatchmerseyside.co.uk
OPEN DOOR CENTRE
If you are aged 17 - 30, you can become a member and then access as many of our services as you like, including Creative Therapeutic Support if you are feeling down, low, stressed or anxious, numerous different activities within music and the arts, unique training and volunteering opportunities and much more. Membership is free, with no waiting lists.
CAMHS Advice Line
This site was created for young people, carers and professionals to pool together lots of helpful resources from across the internet.
24 hour mental health line 0800 145 6485 any age.
Action for Children (Counselling)
Best start in life
We know how important the early years are - and we’re here to help. From parenting advice to education and early intervention, we focus on improving children’s life chances.
Good mental health
Everyone has ups and downs in life. Our mental and emotional well-being experts work with families and schools to make sure children and parents feel able to cope with challenges when they arise.
A safe and loving home
We make sure more children feel part of a family that cares for them. We find homes for those without, protect children who have been abused or neglected, and help ensure young carers don’t miss out on a childhood.
KOOTH (Online counselling)
Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm
SHOUT
Shout is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s the first free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Shout is available in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer
or
Text BLUE to 85258 to get resources and sign posting information.
Every texter is connected with a real-life human being trained to bring people from a hot moment to a cool calm place through active listening and collaborative problem-solving. All of our Crisis Volunteers donate their time to helping people in crisis.
Anxiety UK
Provides information, support and advice for anyone struggling with anxiety.
Live chat service available.
Phone: 03444 775 774
Text: 07537 416 905
Email: support@anxietyuk.org.uk
Opening times: 9.30am-5.30pm, Monday-Friday
No Panic
Supports people struggling with panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias and other anxiety-related issues related - and provides support and information for their carers.
Offers a specialist youth helpline for people aged 13-20. The opening hours are 3pm - 6pm, Monday - Friday; 6pm - 8pm, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Call 01952 680835 for a recorded breathing exercise to help you through a panic attack (available 24/7).
Information about call costs here.
Phone: 0300 7729844
Phone: 0330 606 1174 (Youth helpline)
Email: sarah@nopanic.org.uk
Opening times: 10am - 10pm, 365 days a year
OCD Action
Offers support and information to anybody affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Website provides information and advice to help you access treatment.
Phone: 0300 636 5478
Email: support@ocdaction.org.uk
Email: youthhelpline@ocdaction.org.uk
Opening times: 9:30am - 8pm, Monday - Friday
The Mix
Offers support to anyone under 25 about anything that’s troubling them.
Email support available via their online contact form.
Free 1-2-1 webchat service available.
Free short-term counselling service available.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Opening times: 4pm - 11pm, seven days a week
Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
Phone: 0800 1111
Opening times: 9am - midnight, 365 days a year
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.
All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
Text: YM to 85258
Opening times: 24/7