Why Body Image Issues Aren’t Just About Looks
- Fika Mental Health
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Body image isn’t just about liking how you look—it’s about how you feel in your body, how you think others see you, and how those beliefs shape your self-worth, confidence, and daily decisions. For many, body image struggles go far beyond mirrors and scales—they’re rooted in deep emotional experiences, internalized messages, and even trauma.
This is why body image issues aren’t just about looks. They’re about the meaning we’ve learned to attach to our bodies.
The Deeper Roots of Body Image Struggles
Body image issues often stem from early experiences—comments from caregivers, teasing at school, cultural expectations, or repeated exposure to media that idealizes a narrow version of beauty. Over time, these messages can create a distorted sense of self, where our worth feels directly tied to how we appear.
It’s not just about wanting to look a certain way. It’s about believing that you need to in order to be accepted, loved, or successful.
How Body Image Affects Mental Health
When you’re constantly at war with your body, it takes an emotional toll. People struggling with body image often experience anxiety, shame, depression, and obsessive thinking. These issues can influence everything from what you wear and eat to how you interact socially, engage in intimacy, or even apply for jobs.
Living with body image distress can feel like you’re carrying a constant weight, one that follows you into dressing rooms, dinner tables, and every group photo.
The Impact of Trauma on Body Image
For some, negative body image is shaped by trauma. This could include bullying, neglect, medical trauma, or abuse. When you’ve experienced your body being judged, harmed, or ignored, it can become hard to feel safe in it. You might dissociate, over-control it through dieting or exercise, or feel disconnected altogether.
Healing body image means addressing not just the surface-level thoughts but the protective patterns and survival responses underneath.
Why 'Just Love Yourself' Isn’t Always Helpful
You’ve probably heard phrases like “just love yourself” or “every body is beautiful”—but for someone with deep body image struggles, these messages can feel out of reach or even dismissive. Body positivity is powerful, but it can unintentionally bypass the complex layers people carry when it comes to their appearance.
That’s why body neutrality—the idea that your body doesn’t have to be “beautiful” to be respected—can be a more helpful starting point. It shifts the focus from appearance to functionality, worth, and care.
Signs Body Image Is Affecting Your Life
You don’t have to have an eating disorder to be struggling with body image.
Some signs include:
Constantly checking your appearance in mirrors or photos
Avoiding events or social situations because of how you feel in your body
Feeling guilty after eating or exercising
Comparing your body to others constantly
Equating your body with your worth or success
How to Start Healing Body Image
Challenge Unhelpful Narratives:
Notice where your beliefs about your body came from. Are they truly yours, or inherited from someone else’s voice or society’s expectations?
Practice Body Respect:
Even if you don’t love your body, you can still care for it. Eating enough, resting, and speaking kindly to yourself are forms of resistance in a world that profits from your self-doubt.
Limit Exposure to Toxic Influences:
Curate your media and social media feeds. Follow people who show diverse bodies, talk openly about healing, and promote self-acceptance.
Connect With Your Body Gently:
Through grounding exercises, movement that feels good (not punishing), or even journaling about how you feel in your body, not just how it looks.
Seek Support:
You don’t have to do this alone. Therapy, support groups, or somatic healing can help you build a more trusting relationship with your body.
Your Body Is Not the Problem
You were never meant to feel like your body is wrong. Body image struggles are often a symptom of much deeper wounds—ones rooted in shame, disconnection, and unmet emotional needs. The good news? They can be healed.
If you’re ready to explore a kinder, more connected relationship with your body, I’m here to support you.
Book a free consultation today and take the first step toward body peace.
