Body Dysmorphic Disorder: An Overview Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is classified within the cluster of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It is characterized by a debilitating preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance, which are often either minimal or […]
Defining Body Image and Eating Disturbance Influences Body image represents the complex perceptual, attitudinal, and affective experiences related to one’s own body, encompassing both how individuals perceive their physical form and how they feel about these perceptions. This construct is multidimensional, involving visual estimations of size and shape, emotional responses such as shame or pride, […]
Definition and Scope of Body Guilt Body guilt is defined in psychological literature as a complex, negative self-conscious emotion resulting from an individual’s internal evaluation that they have failed to meet self-imposed or internalized standards pertaining to their physical appearance, functioning, or health-related behaviors. Unlike external criticism, body guilt is fundamentally rooted in a sense […]
Introduction and Definition of Bodily Self Consciousness (BSC) Bodily Self Consciousness (BSC) represents the foundational, non-conceptual sense of owning and inhabiting a physical body, serving as the essential anchor for self-identity and interaction with the surrounding environment. This complex neurocognitive phenomenon ensures that an individual perceives their body not merely as an external object, but […]
Body-Related Self-Conscious Emotions Body-Related Self-Conscious Emotions (BRSCEs) constitute a distinct and critical category of affective responses that arise from the evaluation of the physical self, or body, relative to internal standards, social norms, and cultural ideals. Unlike basic emotions such as fear or anger, which are reactions to external stimuli, BRSCEs—including body shame, body guilt, […]
Introduction and Definition of Body Esteem Body esteem, a critical construct within psychology, refers specifically to the affective evaluation of one’s physical self, encompassing feelings of satisfaction, acceptance, and respect for the body. Unlike the broader concept of body image, which includes perceptual and cognitive dimensions, body esteem zeroes in on the evaluative judgment of […]
Definition and Conceptualization of Bodily Shame Bodily shame represents a profound and pervasive self-conscious emotion characterized by a painful awareness of the self as defective or inadequate specifically due to physical appearance or function. Unlike general shame, which may stem from moral or social transgressions, bodily shame is intrinsically linked to the individual’s physical form—their […]