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Chapter 16 - Body Talk

from Section II - The Journey Toward Positive Body Image

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2021

Nichole Wood-Barcalow
Affiliation:
Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center, Columbus, Ohio
Tracy Tylka
Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Casey Judge
Affiliation:
Ohio State University
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Summary

Imagine that someone we care about, perhaps a good friend, a child, or our romantic partner exclaims, “I hate my body! My stomach is too big.” We hear frustration and disgust in their voice. We may be able to relate to the depth of how they feel, as we may have similar feelings towards our own bodies at times. We want them to feel better. We want to reassure them. Maybe we want to normalize their concerns by letting them know that we also have body concerns. We may even think, “Wow, if they see their own body that way, what do they think of mine?” We feel pressure to respond. In the midst of experiencing these internal reactions, what do we say to them?

Type
Chapter
Information
Positive Body Image Workbook
A Clinical and Self-Improvement Guide
, pp. 231 - 248
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

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