Appearance assumptions, body image and distortions in personal body talk

1. Appearance
assumptions, body
image and
distortions in
personal body talk
Celente French
Nursing Services Manager – Summit Clinic

2. Appearance assumptions

3. ABC of body image
Activators (triggering events and situations)
Beliefs (thoughts and interpretations about myself and my appearance
Consequences: Emotional TIDE
Type of emotion
Intensity of emotion
Duration of episode
Effects of the emotion on behaviour / urges

4. Distortions in your
personal body talk

5. Distortion
– A common feature related to poor body image – often related to appearance
but it can also be associated with one’s talents, value or intelligence.
– With a distorted self-image you can often find it impossible to view yourself as
others would.
– Dysmorphia: deformity or abnormality in the shape or size of a specified part of
the body. Flaws in appearance judged by self that can make you ashamed,
anxious or avoidant of social situations.

6. Distortion 1: Beauty or beast
Black or white thinking
You think about your appearance in extremes
• “I am the perfect weight / I am fat”
• “I am ugly / have body defects, so I have to compensate by being very thin”

7. Distortion 2: Unfair to compare
• Comparing your appearance against unrealistic or extreme standards:
• Magazines, movies, TV – not only their appearance, but their relationships, life
styles and sexual activities
• Real people; (envy, jealousy)
• To your most ideal self

8. Distortion 3 : The Magnifying
Glass
You focus on an aspect of your appearance that you dislike and then exaggerate it –
Selective attention
• All you see is one huge flaw “chipmunk check, bulging butt, big nose, ugly
knees”
• A blind mind – ignores or minimizes your positive qualities
• Fear – being seen as vain/ weak/ of losing control

9. Distortion 4: The Blame Game
You conclude that some disliked physical attribution is directly responsible for
certain disappointments and difficulties you experience: “if I didn’t look so… I
would have been the promotion/he would have ask me to the dance”

10. Distortion 5: Mind Reading
You project your beliefs or thoughts into the minds of others
“if I think I look bad, others must think I look bad too”
• You assume your worth is defined by your looks and place undue importance on
what others may think of your appearance (they will see how short, overweight
or ugly I am and think I am a fat slob/ a loser/ if I am prettier I will be admired
by all and be much happier)

11. Distortion 6: Misfortune Telling
Predicting how your appearance will affect your future
• Short term “People at the gym/on the beach will stare at me”
• Long term “with my looks, I’ll never been taken seriously” “I’ll always be
unloved”
• Because I am vulnerable, I have to protect myself against who look for every
opportunity to exploit me.

12. Distortion 7: Beauty Bound
You believe you cannot do certain things because of your looks – you become a
prisoner you forbid yourself to go places, wear things or do things because you
think you don’t look good enough or will give others the wrong message. “I can
only wear black, lose fitting clothes to hide my body” or “ if I dress in feminine
clothes, people will see me as weak.

13. Distortion
– A reality that could affect every individual

14. Any questions?

15. Thank you