Thoughtful Thursday: Self-image issues

Understanding Self-image

• Self-image encompasses all aspects of how we perceive ourselves.

• It influences many things including our relationships and well-being.

• A negative self-image can involve self-ignore, self-attack, and self-blame.

  • Self-ignore is when an individual neglects their basic needs such as getting enough rest, eating food, and so on.

  • Self-attack is when an individual insults themselves.

  • Self-blame is when an individual blames themselves for stressful events.

• A healthy self-image, on the other hand, can involve aspects such as self-affirm, self-love, and self-protect.

• Self-image, like self-esteem, is established through our life experiences.

Relationship to PDs

In borderline personality disorder (BPD), issues with self-functioning and identity can be major features. People with BPD are sometimes prone to having negative emotions towards themselves in the form of self-disgust and shame. Generally, there is a lack of stability in self-image.

In narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), self-image can be inflated as a way to mask insecurity.

Developing a positive self-image

Self-image is flexible: always changing based on new experiences. These changes can be both positive and negative. We are capable of taking an active role in making these changes positive. Generally, it helps to be kind to yourself. A few more ways to go about it are:

• Identifying various aspects of self-image through introspection. A few questions could be:

  • “What do I think of myself?”

  • “When I am going through a rough patch, how do I treat myself? Is it the same way I would treat a friend?”

  • “How are my abilities? Am I capable of getting better at things I want to?”

• Getting to know your strengths and weaknesses and trying to use at least one of your strengths more actively for a few days then moving on to the next. This helps solidify these strengths into habits that then solidify as a part of your self-image. A survey like this one can help identify your strengths.

• When you observe yourself ignoring, attacking, or blaming yourself, take a step back by taking a deep breath. Then ask yourself whether you’re being too hard on yourself by putting up unreasonable expectations or being unforgiving.

• Recollect past incidences where you have done well on things. Believe that you still can. Believe in the common ability of every human being to adapt and grow despite all challenges.

• Appreciate yourself for the things you do. For trying. For getting so far.

Questions

Q1. How does your self-image impact how you interact with the world?

Q2. Any other thoughts about the topic?

References

APA. (n.d.). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Dictionary.apa.org. https://dictionary.apa.org/self-image

Raypole, C. (2019, November 7). The Insecurity Behind Narcissistic Personality (NPD) Explained. GoodTherapy.org Therapy Blog. https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/the-insecurity-behind-narcissistic-personality-npd-explained-1107194

Ryum, T., Vogel, P. A., Walderhaug, E. P., & Stiles, T. C. (2014). The role of self-image as a predictor of psychotherapy outcome. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 56(1), 62–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12167

Winter, D., Bohus, M., & Lis, S. (2017). Understanding Negative Self-Evaluations in Borderline Personality Disorder—a Review of Self-Related Cognitions, Emotions, and Motives. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0771-0

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