For many, low self-esteem and poor body image are at the route of their eating disorder. For most, it is at least one component of the experience within the illness. Unfortunately, this also tends to be one of the last pieces of the recovery puzzle to fully improve. While it's most essential to restore physiological health initially, the significance of body image improvement is undoubtedly a key factor in the maintenance of recovery from an eating disorder. Body image disturbances are much farther wide-spread than are eating disorders, but sadly, not much is done to counter-act those negative body thoughts while their impacts are in a rather benign phase behaviorally. It is often the case that men and women will feel worse and worse about their bodies before seeking help, if they do at all. When it has worsened to the point of an impact on eating and/or exercise behavior, the impacts can be far more detrimental and long-term. Once some one crosses over into an eating disordered state, body image distortion becomes an additional factor to overcome, and many times it does not change until long into the recovery process.
It's important for young men and women to appreciate and celebrate differences in body types, styles, shapes, and abilities. This is something we need to encourage from a very young age, as children are becoming more and more critical of themselves and peers physically. It's also important for parents and mentors to compliment children for WHO they are inside as opposed to what they look like on the outside. In many cases, body image becomes a focal point at an early age, which can lead to inappropriate connections between self-esteem and body-esteem. Children need to learn that their bodies are merely a home for all the beautiful assets they hold inside.
If you or someone you love is experiencing negative body image, body image distortion, or even body dysmorphic disorder, it's important to seek professional help. No one can make someone feel unconditional self-love, but the tools to do so are out there, and it's critical to seek out support as soon as a problem is evident.
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