Body image disorder
Objective: The worksheet aims to teach learners about the concept of body image disorder and raise their awareness of the psychological effects of medical changes. It is designed to enable future nursing staff to provide sensitive support to patients experiencing shame, insecurity, and anxiety about their changed bodies.
Content and methods: The worksheet begins with a definition of body image and explains how a disorder develops. It initially focuses on the causes of body image disorders. It highlights the emotional and social effects such as shame and social withdrawal. Solutions such as professional support and self-help groups are mentioned. Learners are asked to summarize the text and answer open-ended questions about the effects of beauty ideals and media representations on body image. An exercise invites learners to reflect on their own body image and write a short letter to their body.
Skills:
- Psychological understanding: Learners understand the complex concept of body image disorder.
- Empathy: They learn to empathize with the emotional situation of patients with stomas.
- Self-reflection: They reflect on their own body image and its influence on their professional attitude.
Target group and level: Students and trainees
52 other teachers use this template
Target group and level
Students and trainees
Subjects
Body image disorder
Assignment
Read through the text and summarize body image disorder.
Answer the two questions and discuss your answers with the whole class.
Understanding Body Image: Focus on Stomas and Related Disorders
Body image refers to the mental representation and perception an individual holds of their own body, encompassing their thoughts, feelings, and attitudes towards appearance, shape, and physical characteristics. This concept is deeply influenced by personal experiences, health conditions, cultural and social ideals of beauty, and visible bodily changes such as those resulting from surgery, scars, or skin diseases.
A stoma is a surgically created opening in the body, commonly in the abdomen, to allow for the diversion of bodily waste due to medical conditions like colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or congenital anomalies. The visible presence of a stoma, often accompanied by scars and changes in body contours, can profoundly impact a person's body image. These changes may lead to emotional distress, a sense of altered identity, and challenges in self-acceptance.
Body image disorders related to stomas often stem from the psychological response to these visible and functional changes. Individuals may feel self-conscious or experience shame, particularly in social or intimate settings, due to fear of rejection or stigmatization. Cultural and social ideals that emphasize physical normality and perfection can exacerbate these feelings, as people with stomas may perceive themselves as deviating from such standards.
The impact of a stoma on body image can also intersect with other factors, such as weight fluctuations or skin issues around the stoma site, which might occur due to the underlying disease, surgical intervention, or the need for ongoing management of the stoma. These factors can further influence how individuals perceive their bodies and their sense of attractiveness or completeness.
In some cases, the psychological distress associated with altered body image can lead to disorders such as depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal. Support from healthcare professionals, self-help groups, and open communication with partners can play a critical role in addressing these issues. Education, counseling, and peer support are essential in helping individuals rebuild self-esteem and adapt to their new body image, promoting overall well-being and social participation.
Assignment
Answer the two reflection questions and discuss your answer with the person sitting next to you.
My body and I
Mark areas that you find difficult to accept with a color of your choice.
Mark areas that you feel comfortable with in a different color.
Think about what could help you to change more areas to the “positive” color.
- Write a short letter to your body.
