Body Image, Control, and the Mental Health Conversations We Avoid
Body image has long been a silent but powerful force in shaping how people feel about themselves. For many, it is not simply about how one looks in the mirror but about the need for control—control over food, over body shape, and even over one’s worth. Yet these struggles are often minimized or avoided in mental health conversations, leaving countless individuals to carry their burdens alone.
The Link Between Body Image and Control
Body image issues often surface during times of uncertainty. When life feels overwhelming, controlling food intake, exercise routines, or body weight can become a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, this sense of control can mask deeper struggles with anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Why We Avoid the Conversation
Talking about body image and related struggles can feel uncomfortable. Families may dismiss concerns as “just dieting” or “being health-conscious,” while friends may unintentionally reinforce harmful behaviors with compliments. Even within healthcare, body image issues may go unaddressed unless they escalate to an eating disorder diagnosis. This silence perpetuates stigma and isolation.
The Mental Health Impact
Avoiding these conversations comes at a cost. Body dissatisfaction has been linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, obsessive behaviors, and low self-esteem. In some cases, it leads to dangerous disordered eating patterns that impact both mental and physical health. Recognizing these signs early is key to breaking the cycle.
How to Start Talking About It
Validate, not minimize. When someone expresses concerns about body image, avoid dismissing them.
Separate worth from appearance. Encourage discussions around identity, values, and strengths that are not tied to physical looks.
Normalize professional help. Therapy and coaching can provide safe, judgment-free spaces to process these struggles and develop healthier coping strategies.
Building Healthier Conversations
At Palm Atlantic Behavioral Health, we believe in expanding the scope of mental health conversations to include the topics people often struggle to voice-body image being one of the most significant. By addressing these challenges head-on, we can help individuals move from control rooted in fear toward confidence rooted in self-compassion.
If you or someone you know is struggling with body image concerns, therapy and neurodivergent-informed coaching can be powerful tools for healing. You do not have to carry these thoughts in silence.