I think a lot of people forget how much of an impact our childhood has on the way we look at ourselves. Those early years set the foundation for the way we look at ourselves and others, and the way our family treats us also sets the narrative for our identity.
Personally, I felt that going to college and being on my own was extremely impactful and made me realize that I can change the narrative and be who I want to be. When I was a kid, I was made fun of a lot because of my weight by not only friends but family. I recognized that it was normal for family and friends to tease, but I never realized how much it actually affected me until I hit puberty and began to stretch out of that baby fat stage.
Up until late high school/college, I still saw myself as the chubby little girl when I looked in the mirror, and I could not bear to take photos of myself, even though I looked completely fine. The thing is, when people would take photos, I always ended up looking smaller than I thought I was. This kind of concerned me because it made me realize how skewed the perception of myself was. I had no clue what I actually looked like.
While I have never been formally diagnosed with body dysmorphia or (BDD), I know I am not alone in having this dilemma. So I want to talk about how to overcome body dysmorphia, especially when your body is still changing.
The first step is to recognize that you may need help. It can be difficult to admit, but if you are showing signs of BDD, then it is important for your mental health to seek out some professional help. Research shows that many people with BDD will see a dermatologist for ten years before seeing a mental health professional, so it is normal to be hesitant. You are not alone.
It can be difficult to even recognize BDD because many will view the constant checking up on yourself as a form of vanity and self-absorption, but it is a very valid mental illness.
While medication and therapy can be useful, there are other options. Practicing mindfulness and staying present is a great way to guard against negative self-talk and keep the thoughts in your head away from your body. So if you are cleaning or cooking, focus on that instead of going on autopilot. It can seem hard but once you stay present in what you are doing, you will not have time for those self-hating thoughts.
You may also consider reducing negative predictions. What you put out into the world will come back to you. So once you become more skilled at managing your thoughts and staying in the moment, you can utilize those coping strategies to make for more positive predictions. Putting a positive spin on your negative thoughts will be helpful for your mental health.
I personally have applied these methods to my life and over time I have seen a dramatic change in my self-esteem and sense of identity. It still is difficult to adapt to my changing body, but by staying mindful and being grateful for the body I have, it has become a lot easier to accept my reflection in the mirror and be satisfied with it.