Body checking is something that most people do because we care about our appearance. However, it becomes a problem when a person needs to be aware of how they look at every moment of their lives.
They feel the need to control themselves at all times of the day, and this becomes a compulsive action for them. If it gets to that state, it means that it is officially a deeper issue that needs to be addressed.
We are aware that many people have issues with body image, and perhaps this article will offer insight into your own struggles.
You Weigh Yourself And Measure Your Body Parts All The Time.
Many people weigh themselves frequently to make sure they are on the right track and not gaining weight. However, when someone suffers from body control, they will weigh themselves several times a day and even measure body parts.
They need to make sure that their body proportions have not changed in the slightest.
You Pinch Your Abdomen And Try To Feel Your Bones.
2 other signs that body control is a problem are when you fixate on certain body parts. For example, someone might be obsessed with their abs and keep pinching them to make sure their fat hasn’t increased.
They will also try to feel the bones of your body in another effort to measure your fat or muscle.
You Compare Your Body To Other People’s Bodies.
Social media can be a good reason why you always feel the need to compare your body to other people’s. You tend to find imperfections in your body and seek validation from loved ones.
You ask if they see anything wrong with your body or if anything has changed in your weight and shape lately.
It Can Become Compulsive
When the aforementioned signs appear too frequently during the day, bodily control becomes compulsive. And you’ll know because it’s taking up a lot of your time and interfering with your ability to think clearly.
You can also limit what you eat, stop being as outgoing as you used to, and have problems in your personal and professional life. In the end, this behavior makes you feel even more unhappy with your body and worsens your overall mood.
Body Checking Can Create Eating Disorders.
In one study, it was found that control of the body often leads the affected person to impose restrictions on food consumption. The person feels that he is losing control of his body and that his body is far from perfect.
So your response is to limit your food intake in an effort to minimize the chance of gaining weight. This is how many people end up suffering from various eating disorders that create their own negative effects.
What Causes Body Checking?
In a 2019 study, people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and body dysmorphic disorder were found to be more likely to check out their bodies. Study participants said they had very negative feelings about their bodies before they started checking their bodies.
However, their mood improved after they checked in to make sure everything was okay. However, other studies have shown that instead of minimizing these negative feelings, body control increases them.
How To Reduce And Treat It
Keep track of your control episodes: Write down how often these episodes happen and how you feel before and after you control yourself.
Test yourself: ask yourself tough questions. Why are you body checking and is it actually helpful? Has anything really changed since the last time you did this? It can be difficult to answer these questions logically, but it will give you back a sense of reality.
However, do not avoid looking at yourself: although compulsive body control is harmful, you should not do a full 360 and avoid looking in the mirror. It’s still okay to look at your outfit before you go out.
Have you ever noticed this checking behavior in yourself, and if so, is it becoming harmful to you?
