How A Positive Body Image Can Save You From Depression
Did you know that 1 in 100 people suffer from body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD? This is a condition that causes a person to see himself or herself differently than what the world sees. A person with BDD will feel ugly and deformed, to the point of repulsive, and this can easily cause them to spiral into depression. Many people with BDD stop working, become housebound, and even attempt suicide because of the way they see themselves. A positive body image may help you avoid a similar fate.
Here are some tips to ensure that you do not fall victim to body dysmorphic disorder.
Focus On Your Best Features
No matter how big or old you are, you have at least one feature on your body worth celebrating. This may be your eye color, your skin tone, your breast size, your legs – whatever sets you apart from the rest. You need to identify your best features and then find ways to emphasize them. Women can do this more easily than men because of the extensive clothing styles and makeup options available to them. Nevertheless, there are ways for anyone out there to draw attention to the best parts of their bodies.
Try To Fix Your “Flaws”
If there is something you are very uncomfortable about with your body, do something to fix it. In most cases, this means get on a diet so you can lose weight. You have to be careful about this though because you may see yourself differently than what you look like in reality. If you weigh 110 pounds and your ideal weight is supposed to be 140, you don’t need to lose any weight at all. Try to get an accurate perspective on what you look like to the rest of the world, and then see what you need to fix.
Get A Strong Support System
In order to truly get over and avoid a condition like body dysmorphic disorder, you need to have a strong support system. Your friends and family are going to be the ones that remind you just how great you look each and every day. It would be wise for you to find a counselor as well who may be able to help you change your perspective for the better. With the right people by your side, you can conquer this condition successfully.
