Ask Jigsaw: I want to start loving myself

Wednesday, 22 July 2020

I’ve been told I might be suffering from body dysmorphia and I can see the signs, but despite that I seem to be getting worse? It’s gone to the point where I tear up when I see a recent picture of myself..and I do want to start loving myself but it’s just really hard to. I’ve been thinking of making an appointment, but I’m really scared of face to face interaction. I’m scared of my anxiety since it’s really hard for me to talk to strangers especially when I have to bring up my concerns.. Any recommendations on what I should do?

– zwolfxo

Hi zwolfxo,

Sounds like it’s been really tough for you recently, but you did the right thing to reach out! At different points throughout life, body image can become more, or less important. But there’s no doubt that being unhappy with your physical body can have a big impact on your mental health.

Joanna

Jigsaw Clinician

Sometimes how you see your body is not an accurate representation of what you look like.

Body image and self-esteem

Having a negative body image can impact how you think about yourself, how you feel, and how you might behave. But sometimes how you see your body is not an accurate representation of what you look like. This can lead to dissatisfaction about your body, reducing self-esteem, and lowering mood while increasing anxiety.

It’s OK if you don’t feel comfortable making an appointment to come in face-to-face, but it is important to know that Jigsaw offers a non-judgmental and youth-led service. This means that we’re just happy you’re there and will go at your pace. Talking to somebody about what is going on can feel really difficult, but can be the first step towards things getting better.

In the meantime, as you said self-love is so important! Here’s a few practical things that you can do to move towards more self-acceptance:

Gratitude: Consider all that your body can do, it might be helpful even to write down a list.
Connection: Make sure that you’re spending time with people who make you feel good and comfortable about who you are.
Social Media: If you’re looking at images on social media and comparing yourself or feeling worse, hit unfollow!
Relaxation: Breathing techniques, mindfulness, or certain mental health apps may help to manage some of the stress and anxiety

Take care,

Joanna, Jigsaw Clinician