Online "Body Image" Exercise

Instructions: Visit Butler Hospital's Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Body Image Program's website (http://www.butler.org/body.cfm?id=58&action=detail&ref=142). Body dysmorphia is a deep belief or concern that one's body is flawed. People with BDD often think about their body and what they believe to be wrong with it. They may obsess that other people can see the flaws and find them disgusting. They may worry that they are hopelessly unattractive because of their perceived shortcomings.

Notice that "perceived" is the operative word here. People with this disorder frequently magnify their flaws completely out of proportion with how others see them. Their perception may not make sense to those around them. As a result, people with BDD might think that no one else truly understands how they feel.

Answer the four questions on "how do I know if I have body dysmorphia?" You may not have BDD, but ponder how often some of the questions might relate to you or someone you know. Also check out the 16 "clues to the presence of BDD." Again, while some of the statements may ring true for you, it does not necessarily mean that you have BDD. Can you begin to understand though, how people who do have it might feel? Do you know people who obsess over their appearance, especially its potential flaws? Do they do the things described on the website?

Notice how closely eating disorders are related to body dysmorphia. If you think you or someone you know might have BDD, click on the referral link on the left side of the homepage to find someone who can help. BDD is a serious problem, but treatment is available.

In summary: This exercise explores the factors that make up "self-esteem." While "self-concept" refers to everything that makes up our sense of self, self-esteem is the evaluative part of that equation. Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves.

There are two dimensions to self-esteem: how inferior/superior and how different/similar we see ourselves in comparison to others. People who suffer from BDD have skewed notions of how inferior and different they are in comparison to those around them. There are many reasons why this can occur, ranging from depression to unrealistic images in the media.

People who suffer from BDD have negative perceptions about their bodies that hurt both their self-esteem and self-concept. How people perceive the world can be very powerful, especially when it comes to how they perceive themselves.