Ever looked in the mirror and not loved what you saw? Or maybe, for no particular reason, you doubted yourself? You're not alone. Many women struggle with these debilitating thoughts. How we see ourselves (body image) and how much we value ourselves (self-esteem) are two deeply intertwined facts of our overall well-being. Let’s analyze this detail.
Body Image: It's all in our head
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), body image is “the mental perception one forms of one’s body as a whole, including its physical characteristics and one’s attitudes toward these characteristics.”
It's like having a picture of yourself in your mind. For some people, that picture is pretty good and it makes them feel great. For others, it is quite bad and they feel dissatisfied.
Self-Esteem: Our inner value
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) describes self-esteem as “a person's overall sense of self-worth or personal value.”
Simply put, how much you like and appreciate yourself, inside and out. High self-esteem means you believe in yourself and your abilities. Low self-esteem can make you feel insecure and doubtful about your potential.
The Impact of Body Image on Women's Mental Health
Women are more likely to have a negative body image than men. This is because throughout their lives, they are fed with unrealistic beauty goals and are made to believe that their looks define who they are. Various influences, including social circles, media, friends and family, contribute to this issue.
This makes women very conscious about their physical appearance. They start making comparisons to a certain body form that they perceive to be ideal and strive to attain it one way or the other. This pursuit of “beauty” often triggers anxiety due to unreasonable and unattainable goals. Negative body image becomes deep-rooted, leading to a loss of self-worth and resulting in low self-esteem.
A vicious circle of poor mental health and worsening body negativity often ensues. Negative body image and the associated low self-esteem have detrimental effects for your mental health. They can lead to:
- Anxiety
- Feelings of shame and guilt
- Eating disorders
- Self hatred
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
Physical Health and Its Connection with Body Image
There is a strong connection between our physical well-being, body image and self-esteem. For women with long term health conditions or disabilities, emotional health is an important issue. This is especially true for diseases causing functional impairment or visible physical effects.The mental trauma in such cases is compounded by body dissatisfaction in addition to the effects of the disease.
For instance, women who had mastectomy due to breast cancer struggle with their self-esteem. Similarly, women suffering from intimate issues like vaginal laxity and vaginal dryness affect the way they relate to and experience their bodies.In addition, those who have excessive hair loss due to chemotherapy or female pattern hair loss from some underlying hormonal imbalance have a negative body image and suffer from depression.
Cosmetic Procedures and Their Impact on Mental Health
Cosmetic procedures or aesthetic surgeries are increasingly used by women seeking to up their self-confidence. At times, they are used to restore functionality to certain body areas. Still, many women choose them to fit into their perceived ideal body image or societal beauty standards. Psychological effects of cosmetic treatments can vary from person to person.
Reconstructing a body area for aesthetic reasons and its functional rehabilitation helps women achieve emotional benefits. For a woman who had a mastectomy, a surgically reconstructed breast could help with her sense of femininity and self-confidence. Likewise, women with vaginal laxity, vaginal dryness and sexual dysfunction after childbirth could greatly benefit from laser vaginal rejuvenation in terms of gratifying intimacy and improved emotional well-being.
Finding the right balance between addressing your genuine concerns about body image and the extent of procedures you undergo is essential. Unrealistic expectations can make your mental health worse. “Body dysmorphic disorder” is a mental health condition related to body dissatisfaction that can lead to polysurgical addiction and cause significant distress in your daily life.
Body Positivity and Self-Care
Developing a positive body image requires time and self-compassion. Know that you are so much more than your looks. Believe in yourself and your capabilities and strive to achieve your “life goals” instead of “celebrity beauty goals.” Fostering feelings of body positivity or even body neutrality are rewarding for your self-esteem and confidence. Some of the tips to follow are:
- Stop following people on social media who promote unrealistic body standards and make you feel bad about your body.
- Spend time with people who love you for who you are and do not care about your looks.
- Politely ask friends and family not to comment on your physical appearance or anyone else’s.
- Choose comfortable clothes that make you feel good and wear them with confidence. Fashion is all about how you carry yourself and not about what you are wearing.
- “Eat right” and “work out” to stay healthy and strong. When you strive to reach a certain weight or body shape, then the fitness routine can bring along anxiety and is not sustainable.
- Recognize when you feel ashamed of your body and explore the sources of those feelings.
- Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Don't be critical or harsh to yourself.
Conclusion
Your emotional health is deeply related to how you perceive your physical form and how much confidence you have in your mental capabilities. Feelings of body dissatisfaction and insecurity can harbor deep-rooted mental health issues. Self-compassion and belief in self-potential are the keys to address emotional problems arising from negative body image and low self-esteem.
Focus on achieving your life goals and avoid pursuing an “ideal body form,” as it is unrealistic and unproductive. Instead, heal depression and create the best life with positive choices for your body and mind.
About the Author
Dr. Jehan Ara is a highly qualified consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with a passion for writing and health education. She has more than 10 years of practical patient care experience. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a medical school and a clinical supervisor for postgraduate residents of obstetrics and gynaecology in the affiliated teaching hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Jehan is also a passionate writer and educator. She regularly writes articles and blog posts on women’s health. She is committed to helping women understand their bodies and make informed decisions about their health.
