Body Checking and Avoidance: Understanding These Eating Disorder Behaviors

Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses characterized by an unhealthy relationship with food, weight, and body image. While restrictive eating and purging often come to mind first, other behaviors like body checking and avoidance can be just as significant.

This blog post delves into these behaviors, exploring what they are, why they occur, and how they impact individuals struggling with eating disorders.

What is Body Checking?

Body checking refers to the frequent and compulsive inspection of one's body to assess size, shape, or perceived flaws. Here are some common ways people with eating disorders engage in body checking:

• Frequent Weighing: Stepping on the scale multiple times a day, often obsessing over even minor fluctuations in weight.

• Mirror Gazing: Scrutinizing oneself in the mirror for extended periods, focusing on specific body parts they perceive as "problem areas."

• Pinching or Poking: Pinching skin or poking certain body parts to assess perceived fatness or thinness.

• Comparing to Others: Constantly comparing your body to others in person or in media, fueling negative self-perception.

What is Body Avoidance?

Body avoidance, in contrast, involves actively avoiding situations that might trigger awareness of one's body size or shape. This can manifest in various ways:

• Avoiding Mirrors: Steering clear of reflective surfaces to prevent self-scrutiny.

• Wearing Baggy Clothes: Covering up in loose clothing to conceal perceived flaws.

• Refusing to Weigh: Completely avoiding scales for fear of the number on the display.

• Shunning Social Situations: Avoiding social events like swimming, dancing, or trying on clothes due to body image anxiety.

Why Do These Behaviors Occur?

Both body checking and avoidance stem from a distorted body image and a fixation on weight and shape. These behaviors often feel like a way to gain control, albeit a false one, over their bodies and perceived flaws. However, they ultimately create a vicious cycle:

Body checking can:

• Fuel anxiety and dissatisfaction: The more one checks, the more likely they are to find perceived flaws, leading to increased anxiety and negative self-perception.

• Focus on the negative: The constant scrutiny trains the brain to focus on perceived flaws, neglecting the body's positive attributes.

• Become compulsive: The urge to check can become overwhelming and interfere with daily life.

Body avoidance can:

• Isolate and limit experiences: Avoiding situations that might involve body awareness can lead to social withdrawal and a restricted life.

• Hinder recovery: By avoiding triggers, one misses opportunities to challenge negative body image and develop a healthier relationship with food and their body.

Breaking the Cycle: Resources and Support

If you recognize yourself or someone you care about in these descriptions, know that recovery is possible. Here are some steps you can take:

• Seek professional help: A qualified therapist specializing in eating disorders can provide valuable support and guide you through challenging behaviors like body checking and avoidance.

• Challenge distorted thoughts: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that teaches you to identify and challenge negative thought patterns about your body.

• Focus on self-compassion: Practice acceptance and treat yourself with kindness.

• Develop healthy coping mechanisms: Find healthy ways to manage anxiety and stress that don't involve food or body checking.

• Practice body neutrality: Instead of focusing on appearance, try to appreciate your body for its strength and functionality.

Contact Us:

Eating disorders are serious, but with the right support, recovery is achievable. If you're struggling with body checking, avoidance, or other eating disorder behaviors, don't hesitate to reach out for help. 

Contact us at (888)341-0244 or Visit Reveal Recovery today to learn more about our comprehensive eating disorder treatment programs. We offer a variety of resources and support options to help you break free from these behaviors and build a healthier relationship with food and your body.