Body checking
Body Checking | |
---|---|
Specialty | Psychiatry, Psychology |
Symptoms | Repeatedly checking one's body for perceived flaws |
Complications | Body dysmorphic disorder, Anxiety, Depression |
Usual onset | Adolescence or early adulthood |
Duration | Chronic |
Causes | Body dysmorphic disorder, Anxiety disorders |
Risk factors | Low self-esteem, perfectionism, social anxiety |
Treatment | Cognitive behavioral therapy, Medication |
Prognosis | Variable |
Frequency | Common |
Body checking is a behavior characterized by the repeated and compulsive examination of one's body, often focusing on perceived flaws or imperfections. This behavior is commonly associated with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and can also be present in individuals with eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Overview[edit | edit source]
Body checking involves behaviors such as frequently looking in mirrors, measuring body parts, pinching skin, or comparing one's body to others. These actions are often driven by a distorted perception of one's body image and can lead to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Body checking is often linked to underlying psychological conditions such as:
- Body dysmorphic disorder: Individuals with BDD have an obsessive focus on perceived defects in their appearance, which are often unnoticeable to others.
- Eating disorders: Body checking is common in disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, where individuals are preoccupied with their weight and body shape.
- Anxiety disorders: Generalized anxiety and social anxiety can contribute to body checking behaviors as individuals may fear negative evaluation by others.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of body checking include:
- Excessive mirror checking or avoidance
- Frequent weighing or measuring of body parts
- Pinching or squeezing skin to check for fat
- Comparing one's body to others
- Seeking reassurance from others about appearance
Complications[edit | edit source]
Body checking can lead to several complications, including:
- Increased anxiety and distress
- Development or worsening of depression
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Impairment in occupational or academic functioning
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of body checking behaviors typically involves a comprehensive psychological evaluation. Clinicians assess the frequency and impact of these behaviors on the individual's life, often using structured interviews and self-report questionnaires.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for body checking behaviors often involves:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals challenge and change distorted beliefs about their body image and reduce compulsive checking behaviors.
- Medication: Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be prescribed to help manage underlying anxiety or depression.
- Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): These approaches can help individuals develop a healthier relationship with their body and reduce the urge to engage in checking behaviors.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for individuals engaging in body checking varies. With appropriate treatment, many individuals experience a reduction in symptoms and an improvement in quality of life. However, without treatment, body checking can become chronic and lead to significant psychological distress.
Also see[edit | edit source]
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD