A good look in the mirror may help women
with poor body image see themselves differently, new research
suggests.
The study found that a therapy known as "mirror exposure"
eased some of the negative thoughts and behaviors of women
with body image problems serious enough to put them at
risk of developing an eating disorder.
Women with such body image issues often use mirrors to
check their perceived flaws -- reinforcing their dim views
of their appearance.
The basic idea behind mirror exposure is that learning
to realistically look at one's own body in objective terms
can alter the automatic, negative judgments that would
normally arise in individuals with this disorder. In one
main element, women look at themselves in the mirror and
describe their bodies in non-judgmental, but honest, ways.
So instead of looking at herself and saying, "I have
a big belly," a woman might note that her lower abdomen
is rounder than her upper abdomen, explained lead study
author Dr. Sherrie S. Delinsky of Massachusetts General
Hospital in Boston.
The goal is to help women let go of their constant self-criticism
and learn how to better respond to distressing thoughts
about their bodies, according to Delinsky.
To test the effectiveness of mirror exposure, she and
colleague Dr. G. Terence Wilson followed 45 women between
the ages of 17 and 31 who had body image disturbance,
defined as extreme concerns about weight and shape that
affected their feelings of self-worth.
The women were divided into two groups: one received
three sessions of mirror-exposure therapy and the other
served as a comparison group, which discussed body-image
issues with a therapist.
Women in the mirror-exposure group stood in front of
a three-way mirror and were asked to describe themselves
to a therapist using objective, realistic terms rather
than criticisms.
The women were directed to focus on their whole body
-- describing areas they liked as well as ones they disliked,
Delinsky stated. They were also given homework assignments
designed to limit any routine visits to the bathroom scale
or to the mirror for a "check."
After one month, women in the mirror-exposure group showed
a general improvement in body image concerns, self-esteem,
dieting and depression. The improvements were greater
than those in the comparison group.
Though this study focused on women with body image disturbance,
Delinsky said she believes mirror-exposure therapy could
help treat women who already have an eating disorder.
She is currently studying whether the therapy is effective
for women with anorexia, bulimia or both.
Body image disturbance is so common, Delinsky pointed
out, especially among young women, that it's termed "normative
discontent," and will often go unrecognized and unaddressed
unless a woman develops an eating disorder.
SOURCE: International Journal of Eating Disorders, March
2006.
