Body Image

This resource from John Hopkins Medicine is a more broken down, word-friendly version of the definition for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. It provides more examples as to what BDD might look like aside from as the DSM-5 describes them. It also addresses when BDD arises in individuals, how to prevent it in teenagers, and the potential treatments for it. One of the greatest features of this website is the next steps one might want to take before addressing their BDD. This is critical for parents and caregivers to have when bringing a child to the doctor to address this. It also might be a spark to a conversation between them and their child.

This resource is critical for identifying eating disorders. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care. These again, may go hand in hand with BDD and are important to have on the radar for inside and outside of the classroom. It looks at different communities, cultures, interests such as those with disabilities, those that are athletes, those of Jewish culture, and so many more, and it works through how they may be perceived or look differently across different factors. Other groups discussed: Athletes, Disability Community, Jewish Community, LGBTQ+ Population, Men and Boys, Mid-Life and beyond, People of Color, Size diversity and Health at every size.  

This is a children’s book that a parent or teacher should have at home or in the classroom. It is a story that speaks about the purpose of our features instead of seeing them as flaws. It also looks to reflect on how each of us is different and beautiful in our own way. A perfect example of differences that a young child might notice is different hair, and this is a topic addressed to children. 

This resource is crucial for parents, caregivers, and even educators because BDD can often lead or align with eating disorders to achieve a desired look that one believes they can only obtain through not eating, throwing up, etc. This resource highlights how BDD and eating disorders align and what the different eating disorders look like. These are critical to have on the radar and certain behaviors should be communicated if they are seen from children. This resource is from the Internation OCD Foundation which is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. Founded in 1986 by a small group of individuals with OCD, the foundation has grown into an international membership-based organization serving a broad community of individuals with OCD and related disorders, their family members and loved ones, as well as mental health professionals and researchers around the world. 

This is a children’s book that speaks about more specific differences in features across race. It addressed features like skin color or freckles and normalizes loving the features that we possess because they are unique to us. This is a book that would be beneficial in the classroom or at home because of the positive body image it expresses to such a young crowd.

The impact of social media on the current eating disorder views plays a large factor in ideal “looks” for our society. Features such as flat stomachs for women or muscles for men are displayed via the media and are harmful to our brains in perceiving that we must obtain this look to feel worth or satisfaction. There are many hyperlinks from this website regarding body image and how to obtain positive body image as well the expression of different bodies and how this is normal!  This was derived from The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) which is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. 

This is a novel for children that expressed the struggles of young females. Isabelle Lee, the main character struggles with Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa after her father’s death, which is her own imperfections, but she learns that others also relate to her throughout the novel. She learns many lessons like not comparing herself and realizing that even the prettiest girls have their struggles and imperfections. This is a great book to read as a parent to provide the importance of the social pressure children experience inside the school. It also looks at these disorders that have been discussed and the reader can imply how to work through these with children or learn from Isabelle’s own mother’s mistakes. It is a very quick and short read and is quite relatable.