Negative Body Image: Actual and Perceived Body Image

The messages we get and absorb as children, teenagers and as adults about our bodies and appearance can really shape how we feel and think and about our bodies.

These messages can come from school, parents, family, wider society, peers, friends, health professionals and things we read and see.

These messages work to shape our perception of our body and can lead to negative body image. This perception, however, is often not how we 'actually' look and so a discrepancy exists between 'perceived' or 'interpreted' body image, based on the messages we have absorbed over the years and our 'actual', 'real', or 'factual' appearance.

Therapy and counselling, amongst other things, would seek to reduce this gap or discrepancy and help you see the 'real' body, not the negative body image that has been shaped and coloured by unhelpful and even harmful messages from elsewhere over the years.

All the best, Alexandra :-)

Comments

Vacancy: Psychotherapist/CBT Therapist/Counsellor in Glasgow City Centre

Psychotherapist/CBT Therapist/Counsellor: Adult Eating Disorders (over 16s) (all modalities welcome to apply) CLOSING DATE: MONDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2024, 5PM START DATE: MID-MARCH 2024 You will see clients at our offices in Glasgow city centre. This is NOT an online role so please do not apply if you cannot work with clients at our offices in Glasgow city centre. Please contact email us on support@eatingdisorderscotland.co.uk for a Role Description and Application Form. We do not accept CVs. Talking EDs: Eating Disorders Support Service Scotland seek to recruit a suitable Counsellor/Psychotherapist/CBT Therapist to join our friendly, supportive team of psychotherapists, counsellors, mental health practitioners and dietitians. Other therapeutic modalities are also welcome to apply. We are currently a small team of psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists and dietitians. We are looking for an affiliate Psychotherapist or Counsellor: Adult Eating Disorders (over 16s) to provide in...

Focus on.... Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (or EDNOS)

Focus on.... EDNOS/OSFED Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (or EDNOS) is now increasingly known as OSFED (Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder) accounts for the highest percentage of eating disorders. EDNOS/OSFED is just as serious and debilitating as any other form of eating disorder and needs to be taken more seriously. Unfortunately, however, in our experience, this is often not the case and many are not given appropriate treatment or support (whether from family, friends, professionals and others) and the condition can deteriorte and even change into another form of eating disorder. WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT EDNOS/OSFED? Then read on..... EDNOS/OSFED is the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder in clinical settings. It has often been described as ‘partial syndrome’; however, in our opinion, referring to an eating disorder as 'partial' presents several problems, namely that the client or patient is denied support. EDNOS/OSFED describes a form eating d...

Self-Care this Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024

Self-Care this Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024 We are almost half way through this Eating Disorders Awareness week 2024 and if you have past, or present, personal experience of an eating disorder or disordered eating, awareness weeks such as these can feel especially overwhelming with all the social media posts; articles, news its's and more. So, it's really important to look after yourself during this awareness week and get some support, where possible, if needed. remember, we are here to support you too, wherever you are in the UK. This self-care or self-help exercise involves making a 'Safe Box' or 'Comfort Box'. Read about how to do this below. Make yourself a 'Safe Box' or a 'Comfort Kit'. This can be very useful during times of distress, overwhelm or when we feel under threat in some way (e.g. anxious, confusing feelings etc.) What you put in your box/kit is up to you; however it's purpose is to provide you with a 'go to...

Scribblings of a Psychotherapist

Search This Blog