Name That Distortion
“If I don’t like how my body looks today, the entire day will be terrible.”
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
“I don’t deserve to eat when I feel bad about my body.”
What is “Food is a basic need, not something I have to earn. Body-image distress does not make me undeserving of nourishment.”?
“I hate how my stomach looks.”
What is, “I don’t need to evaluate my stomach right now; it is simply one part of my body”?
What is, "My stomach allows me to digest food."?
“I want to cancel plans because of how I look.”
What is keeping my plans and focusing on connection instead of appearance?
Body image includes how you think, feel, and behave toward your body, not simply how your body looks.
What is true?
“That person looked at me, so they must be judging my body.”
What is mind reading?
“I should be further along in recovery by now.”
What is, “Recovery isn’t linear, and struggling today doesn’t erase my progress”?
“I need to feel beautiful before I can go out.”
What is, “I don’t have to feel beautiful to leave the house or participate in my life”?
“I feel pulled to body-check before leaving.”
What is leaving without checking again and redirecting my attention?
You must love your body before you can treat it with respect.
What is false? You can respect and care for your body without loving its appearance.
“I feel bad about eating, so I must have done something wrong.”
What is emotional reasoning?
“My body is the least acceptable body in the room.”
What is, “I deserve the same dignity and belonging as everyone else”?
“My body is taking up too much space.”
What is, “My body is allowed to exist and occupy space without apology”?
“I want reassurance that my body hasn’t changed.”
What is resisting appearance reassurance and asking for emotional support instead?
Body checking may briefly reduce anxiety but usually strengthens body preoccupation over time.
What is true?
"My body changed, and now everything is going to fall apart.”
What is catastrophizing?
“I’m weak because the ED thoughts are loud today.”
What is, “Having loud ED thoughts doesn’t make me weak; choosing not to follow them takes strength”?
“I need to compare myself with that person.”
What is, “Their body does not provide meaningful information about mine”?
"The ED wants me to compensate for eating.”
What is continuing regular nourishment, avoiding compensation, and reaching out for support?
Avoiding activities until you feel confident about your appearance will improve your body image.
What is false? Avoidance usually strengthens body-image fears and keeps life on hold.