If your teenager is changing their style or “reinventing themselves” you may be a bit concerned or even mourning the loss of your “baby”. All of these feelings are natural, including your teen’s desire to change some aspects of their appearance. This type of behavior becomes a concern when your teen is distraught over their appearance, and it is impacting their self-esteem or self-worth.

Adolescence is a time of change. Maintaining physical and mental wellness during the teen years is important, though this may feel like a challenge at times. Developing a healthy body image is also important during this stage of development, unfortunately this can prove to be a difficult task. If you and your teen are struggling with body image development, you certainly aren’t alone.

Body Image: What Is It?

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), “Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind.” It entails your beliefs about your looks, personal impressions of your body, and your sense of power over your bodies as you move and interact with others. It can play a large role in your sense of self, self-worth and self-esteem. Perceiving yourself to be “ugly” or having unflattering features can give rise to unhappiness and insecurity. Body image is continually changing, the goal is to have it continuously change for the better.

A number of factors may influence body image. This can include home environment, peer pressure, cultural background, fashion trends, and the media. In this generation, the role of social media is undeniable. Posting pictures on social media and comparison can cause problems, it can be easy to develop an unhealthy feeling of inadequacy. Most of us know that social media isn’t a real representation of what people look like or how they live their lives, though this can be difficult for teens to process.

The Risk Factors

There are adolescents who are more likely to develop an unhealthy body image. NEDA says that adolescents might be more at risk of developing an unhealthy body image if they:

• feel pressure from family, peers or media to fit into a narrow idea of beauty and attractiveness
• Have family members or peers tease them about the way they look
• have a different body shape or weight from many of their peers, or a body shape that’s different from the ‘ideal’ shapes seen in the media
• are perfectionists
• look at themselves from the ‘outside’ and worry about how others see them
• compare themselves to others
• have low self-esteem
• experience symptoms of depression
• have friendship, sport or dance group that emphasizes a certain body type
• have physical disabilities

Frequently, teens perceive themselves to be unacceptable, particularly girls. Many can also be the victims of bullying which will inevitably impact self-esteem and confidence, putting their emotional and mental health at great risk.

Warning Signs of Negative Body Image

Most teens have the tendency to be conscious of their body. It is also natural to want to look better and aim for improvement. When your adolescent child, however, is overly focused on their appearance, pay attention. There can be a lot of variability in body image. Some teens have a healthy self-image, and there are those who will not even look at themselves in the mirror or allow their picture to be taken.

Poor self-image can manifest in other ways, such as:

• Feeling inadequate and insecure
• Being hypocritical of yourself, particularly your bodies
• Perpetually comparing yourself to others
• Isolating or avoiding social events
• Obsessing about weight loss or having surgery to change appearance
• Frequently looking in the mirror or taking pictures, or absolutely avoidance of both
• Unhealthy relationships with food

Poor self-image can also be associated with low self-esteem. “In psychology, the term self-esteem is used to describe a person’s overall sense of self-worth or personal value,” says Very Well Mind. Simply stated, it is your appreciation of yourself. If your teenager is having problems with their self-image due to low self-esteem, this can be too much for them, and for you, to work through without help. Therapy can help.

Effects of Poor Body Image

The impact of negative self-image on self-esteem is profound. Teens with poor self-esteem run the risk of having unrealistic, and therefore, “unachievable” goals. Low self-esteem and unattained goals can easily lead to bigger concerns such as depression, anxiety and unhealthy eating behaviors.

Additionally, poor body image can result in relationship conflicts. Teens may struggle to maintain healthy relationships with others as well as themselves which can impact them socially and academically.

Improving Body Image with Counseling

Healthy body image and self-esteem is an excellent goal, though it may feel difficult to attain. This can be true at any age, particularly so for teens. If you are concerned about how your teen views themselves, you aren’t alone.

Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC can help with this process. CCS contracts with licensed therapists who know how to improve body image and self-esteem. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

Related Articles:

• How to Help Teens with Self-Esteem and Weight Issues
• Boosting Self-Esteem in Your Child
• Happy Adolescence: Toward Healthy Self-Esteem
• Improve Your Self-Esteem With Therapy
• Finding the Confidence to Boost Your Self-Esteem