Body image refers to how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or in photos. Body image distress is:

preoccupations, assumptions and negative thoughts about your body parts, weight, appearance and or facial features.

Our bodies are our home for the rest of our lives. We may have a negative body image if:​

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• Have a critical or negative perception of our body, weight or height.

• Anxiety and fears around social situations, shopping for clothes and traveling.

• Cancelling social plans.

• Patterns of extreme behaviour to target weight loss or changing your body shape.

• Comparing yourself to others around you and online/ in the media.

• Distorted perceptions of certain features.

• Excessive efforts to groom yourself - like hair straightening.

• Wishing you were a different race, had a different skin colour or hair texture.

• Feelings of shame when someone comments on your body (even if it's seemingly positive)

• Engaging in self-harm or punishment when you don't follow 'body image rules'. 

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Body Image distress is not a clinical mental health disorder on its own. Yet, it is the source of a lot of other mental health conditions developing - such as anorexia, bulimia, depression, sleep issues, medical complications and social anxiety.