Body Image
Body image is how a person perceives, thinks and feels about their own body. A difficult relationship with it is very common and can affect self-esteem, mood, relationships and daily life, from how someone dresses or socialises through to more persistent distress and preoccupation.
Body image difficulties exist on a spectrum, and they’re worth taking seriously at any point on it, not just when they become severe.
What does difficult body image look like?
How it shows up
- Persistent dissatisfaction with your appearance or body
- Frequent comparison of your body to others, including on social media
- A lot of time or emotional energy spent thinking about your appearance
Impact & behaviours
- Avoiding situations (social events, swimming, photos, certain clothing) because of how you feel about your body
- Body image significantly affecting mood, self-esteem or confidence
- Checking behaviours, such as frequently checking your appearance in mirrors, or the opposite, avoiding mirrors altogether
Difficult body image can affect people of any body size, gender or age, and an eating disorder doesn’t need to be present for it to be worth addressing.
What contributes to difficult body image?
Social & cultural messaging
Cultural ideals around appearance, and comparison including via social and traditional media.
Life experiences
Comments from others, bullying, or significant changes affecting the body, such as illness, pregnancy or ageing.
Psychological factors
Perfectionism, low self-esteem, or using appearance as a primary measure of self-worth.
Co-occurring conditions
Body image difficulties frequently accompany anxiety, depression or disordered eating.
Body image is shaped by a wide mix of internal and external influences, which also means it responds well to psychological work that addresses those underlying patterns.
How can therapy help with body image?
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Addressing the thoughts and beliefs that drive body dissatisfaction and the behaviours (avoidance, checking) that maintain it.
Acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT)
Building a different relationship with body-related thoughts, rather than needing to eliminate them, and reconnecting with activities that avoidance may have limited.
Self-compassion approaches
Building a kinder internal relationship with your body and appearance.
Media literacy & social comparison work
Understanding and reducing the impact of comparison, particularly via social media.
Where body image difficulties are connected to disordered eating, treatment is usually integrated with that broader care rather than addressed separately.
When should I see a psychologist about body image?
It’s worth reaching out if you’ve noticed:
- Body image significantly affecting your mood, confidence or daily choices
- Avoiding activities, relationships or opportunities because of how you feel about your body
- A lot of time or mental energy spent on appearance-related thoughts
- Body image concerns alongside changes in eating patterns or disordered eating
If body image concerns are connected to disordered eating, dedicated support is available in addition to the crisis contacts at the top of this page:
- Butterfly Foundation National Helpline 1800 33 4673 — Support for eating disorders and body image concerns, for anyone affected.
A GP can set you up with a Mental Health Care Plan under Medicare’s Better Access scheme, which covers a rebate for a set number of psychology sessions each year.
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Pair matches you with an AHPRA-registered psychologist based on your situation. The match considers clinical fit, practical things like session format and cost, and, if you want, identity-based preferences.
Get matched with a psychologistFrequently asked questions
Is difficult body image the same as having an eating disorder?
No, though they frequently overlap. Difficult body image can exist without an eating disorder, and addressing it is worthwhile regardless. If body image concerns are connected to changes in eating, support for disordered eating is worth seeking alongside this.
Can body image issues affect people who aren’t underweight or overweight?
Yes. Body image difficulties can affect people across the full range of body sizes and appearances. They’re about a person’s relationship with their body, not an objective measure of how they look.
Does social media make body image worse?
For many people, social media comparison contributes to body image difficulties, though it’s rarely the sole cause. Reducing exposure to comparison-heavy content and building media literacy is often a useful part of the work, alongside broader therapy.
How long does therapy for body image take?
It varies with the person and how long-standing the difficulty is. Some people notice a shift within a number of sessions, particularly with structured CBT; deeper, older patterns often benefit from more sustained work.
Do I need a GP referral to see a psychologist about body image?
No. A GP referral is only needed for a Medicare rebate through a Mental Health Care Plan.
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