Your Brain on Body Dysmorphia

Eating Disorders

When an Eating Disorder Isn't Just About Body Image

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on July 22, 2024

Eating disorders aren't solely motivated by a desire to be thinner. Perfectionistic tendencies and a need to control chronic stress can also trigger disordered behaviors.

Eating disorders aren't solely motivated by a desire to be thinner. Perfectionistic tendencies and a need to control chronic stress can also trigger disordered behaviors.

Shame

The Hidden Impact of Body Shaming and Self-Objectification

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on July 13, 2024

The harmful consequences of body shaming, and the liberation of undoing it.

The harmful consequences of body shaming, and the liberation of undoing it.

Body Image

How Social Media Distorts Our Body Image

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on October 2, 2023

Eating disorder influencers glamorize emaciated bodies, tube feedings, and emotional struggles on social media, causing an uprising in serious cases of eating disorders.

Eating disorder influencers glamorize emaciated bodies, tube feedings, and emotional struggles on social media, causing an uprising in serious cases of eating disorders.

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

How Magic Mushrooms Could Change Your Mind-Body Connection

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on August 6, 2023

A case study from the ‘90s demonstrated that psilocybin could change how we connect with our bodies. Scientists are finally starting to reveal the neuroscientific underpinnings.

A case study from the ‘90s demonstrated that psilocybin could change how we connect with our bodies. Scientists are finally starting to reveal the neuroscientific underpinnings.

Body Image

I Had Cosmetic Surgery to Appease My Body Dysmorphia

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on July 6, 2023

It can be difficult to understand what drives someone with body dysmorphia to get unnecessary cosmetic surgery. Here's one person's story.

It can be difficult to understand what drives someone with body dysmorphia to get unnecessary cosmetic surgery. Here's one person's story.

Trauma

The Intersection of Trauma and Eating Disorders

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on June 7, 2023

We know very little about the cause of eating disorders, but one theme rings true for many: trauma. New research shows how trauma therapy helps recovery from an eating disorder.

We know very little about the cause of eating disorders, but one theme rings true for many: trauma. New research shows how trauma therapy helps recovery from an eating disorder.

Body Image

How Therapy Can Reconnect Your Mind and Body

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on May 16, 2023

Body image dissatisfaction is highly prevalent and stressful. Here are three evidence-based methods for healing your relationship with your body.

Body image dissatisfaction is highly prevalent and stressful. Here are three evidence-based methods for healing your relationship with your body.

Eating Disorders

Could Exercise Be a Tool in Eating Disorder Recovery?

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on April 11, 2023

Exercise is often prohibited during eating disorder treatment, but research suggests it may help. Here's how exercise can help leave an eating disorder behind.

Exercise is often prohibited during eating disorder treatment, but research suggests it may help. Here's how exercise can help leave an eating disorder behind.

Addiction

How a Stronger Body Can Transform Your Identity

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on March 4, 2023

Strength training does not just give you a stronger body, it can change your identity, which is important when recovering from addiction.

Strength training does not just give you a stronger body, it can change your identity, which is important when recovering from addiction.

Trauma

The Role of Your Mind and Body in Coping With Trauma

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on February 16, 2023

Coping with trauma can be difficult, but it can be trained. Both your mind and body play pivotal roles in this process and can help you develop resilience.

Coping with trauma can be difficult, but it can be trained. Both your mind and body play pivotal roles in this process and can help you develop resilience.

OCD

Misperceiving Your Body’s Appearance

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on January 31, 2023

Researchers are still debating the true neurobiological nature of BDD. Is it more like OCD, psychosis, or a problem with visual perception?

Researchers are still debating the true neurobiological nature of BDD. Is it more like OCD, psychosis, or a problem with visual perception?

Chronic Illness

How Chronic Illness Shapes Body Image and Identity

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on January 2, 2023

Chronic illness in childhood and adolescence can have long-lasting consequences on body image and identity. Three people share their stories, struggles, and lessons learned.

Chronic illness in childhood and adolescence can have long-lasting consequences on body image and identity. Three people share their stories, struggles, and lessons learned.

Sex

Dissociation as Self-Defense in Childhood Sexual Abuse

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on December 30, 2022

Childhood sexual abuse triggers dissociation and out-of-body experiences, with long-term consequences for how they relate to their bodies.

Childhood sexual abuse triggers dissociation and out-of-body experiences, with long-term consequences for how they relate to their bodies.

Body Image

How Brain Illusions Shape Your Body Image

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on December 12, 2022

Do you hate your body? You may be falling prey to an illusion.

Do you hate your body? You may be falling prey to an illusion.

Body Image

Where Your Mind Meets Your Body

Pernille Yilmam Ph.D. on November 28, 2022

Do you dislike your body? Welcome to the club. How did we get here, what went wrong, and how do we integrate our bodies with our minds?

Do you dislike your body? Welcome to the club. How did we get here, what went wrong, and how do we integrate our bodies with our minds?