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Overview
In a society where a blemish or "bad hair" can ruin an otherwise perfect day, and airbrushed abs dominate the magazine rack, many people feel ashamed of their bodies. Whether they've stopped socializing because of an imagined defect or spent thousands on skin care, hair growth products, or plastic surgery, Feeling Good about the Way You Look helps men and women with exaggerated concerns about their appearance break free from the mirror and get their lives back on track. Self-assessment tools help readers understand their problems and decide whether they should be evaluated for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a severely distressing level of dissatisfaction with one's body. Step-by-step guidelines teach them to overcome discouraging thoughts, curtail obsessive appearance rituals, and see themselves realistically. With a chapter for friends and family members who suspect a loved one may be struggling with body image issues, this is the perfect starting point for those who want to help themselves or someone they care about make peace with their looks.Synopsis
In a society where a blemish or “bad hair” can ruin an otherwise perfect day and airbrushed abs dominate the magazine rack, many of us feel ashamed of our bodies. If dissatisfaction with your looks is a distressing preoccupation, this compassionate book offers a way to break free from the mirror. Harvard psychologist Sabine Wilhelm leads you through a step-by-step program that helps you fight the urge to spend hours “fixing” your skin and hair, working out, or shopping for flattering clothes. Reality-check exercises based on cognitive-behavioral therapy demonstrate how to identify unfounded beliefs about your appearance. Once you understand the negative thoughts and feelings that distort your self-image, you’ll be able to shed lengthy grooming rituals and overcome the embarrassment that keeps you from enjoying life. With Dr. Wilhelm’s expert guidance, you’ll learn to replace self-doubt and insecurity with confidence and a positive outlook. Whether you’ve spent thousands on plastic surgery or avoid trips to the beach, dating, or socializing, you owe yourself this opportunity to make peace with your looks. If you or someone you care about is struggling with a body image problem, effective care is finally at hand.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Nicholas Greco IV, MS, BCETS, CATSM(Abbott Laboratories)
Description:This is an exceptionally well written and much needed book on body image that presents a step-by-step program to fight the urge to "fix" your skin, hair, etc. The author's approach is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and focuses on the irrational thoughts, distorted beliefs, and all-or-nothing thinking that is prevalent among those obsessed with body image.
Purpose:The purpose is to help people recognize, identify, and alleviate the distress and excessive amount of time and energy on body appearance. It is written for individuals with concerns about body image, as well as for their family and friends. It is also a defense against the barrage of "perfect" images, ads, and television shows. The book fully meets the author's objectives.
Audience:Because the book is written in such a friendly, straightforward manner, it would be easy to recommend it to clients or friends. Those suffering with body image issues, their family and friends, and even therapists will find this to be a most worthwhile reading experience. The author is the founder and director of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinic and Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Features:The book is well structured and reader friendly for all levels. The program is built on cognitive-behavioral therapy, presenting a straightforward and realistic approach. Notably, the irrational, illogical thinking patterns are discussed with specific focus on one's core beliefs. An unbiased discussion on whether to take medication or not is refreshing. Therapist readers will especially appreciate the chapter on comorbidity.
Assessment:The author has given both the general public and the mental health community a wonderfully useful and worthy compendium of information on body image.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Nicholas Greco IV, MS, BCETS, CATSM(Abbott Laboratories)Description: This is an exceptionally well written and much needed book on body image that presents a step-by-step program to fight the urge to "fix" your skin, hair, etc. The author's approach is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and focuses on the irrational thoughts, distorted beliefs, and all-or-nothing thinking that is prevalent among those obsessed with body image.
Purpose: The purpose is to help people recognize, identify, and alleviate the distress and excessive amount of time and energy on body appearance. It is written for individuals with concerns about body image, as well as for their family and friends. It is also a defense against the barrage of "perfect" images, ads, and television shows. The book fully meets the author's objectives.
Audience: Because the book is written in such a friendly, straightforward manner, it would be easy to recommend it to clients or friends. Those suffering with body image issues, their family and friends, and even therapists will find this to be a most worthwhile reading experience. The author is the founder and director of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinic and Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Features: The book is well structured and reader friendly for all levels. The program is built on cognitive-behavioral therapy, presenting a straightforward and realistic approach. Notably, the irrational, illogical thinking patterns are discussed with specific focus on one's core beliefs. An unbiased discussion on whether to take medication or not is refreshing. Therapist readers will especially appreciate the chapter on comorbidity.
Assessment: The author has given both the general public and the mental health community a wonderfully useful and worthy compendium of information on body image.
Library Journal
While many people are concerned with their looks in this appearance-centric society, some individuals experience so much dissatisfaction that they avoid certain social activities, spend excessive amounts of time and money on beauty products, and try every strategy to look better. So says Wilhelm (founder & director, Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinic & Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hosp.). Using research, case studies, and clinical experience, Wilhelm explains the nature of this affliction and provides strategies and encouragement for overcoming distress. She offers techniques for controlling excessive appearance rituals and for dealing with social situations head-on. Most books on this subject have been geared toward women, but Wilhelm focuses on both genders. Useful for those who want to help themselves or their loved ones; for most libraries. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.From the Publisher
"Millions of people suffer from body image concerns. Some are paralyzed by them. Here, Dr. Sabine Wilhelm offers a systematic, scientifically based program of self-treatment. For many, this will be a welcome alternative to expensive professional therapy."--Harrison G. Pope Jr., MD, Harvard Medical School; coauthor of The Adonis Complex"Dr. Wilhelm, one of the few experts on the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), has written a landmark book for the millions who suffer from this under-recognized and often disabling illness. For those struggling to overcome the torment of BDD, this book offers invaluable guidance and hope."--Katharine A. Phillips, MD, Brown Medical School, author of The Broken Mirror
"Dr. Wilhelm is one of the world's experts in body image and a pioneer in the treatment of body image disturbance through cognitive-behavioral therapy. This is an authoritative, lucid, wise, and engaging book. More than that, it is an important book--it will change lives. If you are constrained by anxiety and shame about your appearance, Dr. Wilhelm maps out the road to freedom--to feeling truly and authentically good about the way you look."--Nancy Etcoff, PhD, Harvard Medical School; author of Survival of the Prettiest
"As someone who experienced body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), when you’re at your lowest, you really believe you will never have a normal life...This book can and will help many people. I wish there had been a book like this when I was at my lowest points!"--LG, Massachusetts
"Until now, very little self-help material was available on body dysmorphic disorder, a distressing condition that can lead sufferers to depression, unnecessary cosmetic surgery, and even suicide. If you are struggling with body image problems or care for someone who is, this excellent book offers very helpful guidance."--David Veale, MD, London, UK