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“The body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body. I was on a lot of antidepressants, drinking on them, eating poorly, & at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you… “I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies, no matter what. If you think you’re saying something good or well-intentioned, whatever it is… We should really work towards not doing that…
Here’s a list of negative effects of body shaming
Adolescents who are body shamed have a significantly elevated risk of depression
It may lead to eating disorders
Body shaming worsens outcomes for obese women attempting to overcome binge eating
What are the types of body shaming?
Body shaming most often refers to someone’s body. However, other attributes of a person’s physical appearance can also be targeted. Such as:
- weight
- attractiveness
- age
- clothing
- body hair
- food
- being trendy
- makeup
Signs of BDD
They start wearing more makeup. “Those with BDD often try to hide their defect in various ways, including camouflaging their appearance — for example, by wearing lots of makeup or clothing,” says Silver.
They start avoiding or seeking out mirrors. “People with BDD often have a difficult relationship with mirrors,” says Silver. You might notice them spending a lot more time in front of one or avoiding reflective surfaces so they don’t have to see themselves.
They suddenly begin talking about having plastic surgery. People experiencing BDD feel driven to “fix” their concerns. In some instances, this can extend to researching and undergoing plastic surgery procedures.
They repeatedly ask you how they look. Silver explains, “People with BDD may compare their appearance to others and constantly ask for reassurance about how they are looking.”
They become withdrawn. Many people with BDD feel too self-conscious or fearful of being judged to go out in public. As a result, they may actively avoid social situations and may become depressed.
