Body Image Obsession and The Effects- Sex Therapy Can Help

Body image being distorted by our media's obsession and the "thin-ideal" is something we are all aware of and is not a new phenomenon. We are familiar with our society's obsession of thinness dating back to the "Twiggy" days of the 1960's.  

A recent study conducted by the University of Connecticut discovered female undergraduates who viewed media images and advertisements which displayed women as being ultra-thin exhibited significant increases in body dissatisfaction, negative mood, levels of depression and lowered self-esteem. 

An obsession with body image is often times a result, and at the core of many of our society's ailments. Teenage girl's use of diet pills has doubled in the last decade.  Other unhealthy behaviors teenagers begin using in our society include unhealthy weight control behaviors include the use of diet pills, laxatives, vomiting or skipping meals. This is alarming and is reason for us to take a closer look at body image in our society, because they not only lead to physical ailments in the long run, but also contribute to an overall dissatisfaction in life. 

Often times phobias and obsessions with specific imperfect parts of ones self may develop.  Often labeled Body Dismorphic Disorder, these sufferers are convinced that this particular part of their body is abnormal, which is generally not the case, albeit subjective to our society. These people have difficulty staying in reality. 

People suffering from this largely societal ailment will focus obsessively on the physical attribute they consider flawed, constantly viewing it in the mirror, as though their vision is blurred seeing deformity where there is none, often asking the opinions of others, going to severe lengths to “fix” the problem by wearing too much make-up, going to a tanning salon or getting plastic surgery (all of which are also condoned by our society, despite having been known to cause physical and health problems.)

Why some people are more effected by issues of body image than others varies.  It obviously has to do with family environment, friend's opinions and ideas, and of course media has a huge role, as it often dictates what is and what is not acceptable.  

Other effects of distorted or low self image can affect all aspects of our lives, work, family relationships, friendships, and love relationships and sexuality.   Low self image is at the root of a lot of social ailments, such as addictions to clinical depression.  Body dissatisfaction, negative mood, levels of depression and lowered self-esteem will lead to difficulties in your relationships, in the bedroom, in your communication, and may cloud your judgement all around and overall.

Understanding how body image issues affect you can help you understand the variable which effect your life and put you on the path to understanding yourself and creating a happier more fulfilling life. Psychotherapy,  and even sex therapy is a great tool to help you uncover and sort through such factors to get to a happier more satisfactory you.