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Articles and Tips: Parenting

Hurting to Be "Perfect": The Risks of a Negative Self-Image

Self-image

Possible Risks of a Negative Self-Image:

  1. Succumbing to Peer Pressure
  2. Dangerous Eating Behavior
    This section includes information about anorexia, bulimia and body dysmorphic disorder.

Causes of Self-Image Issues

Signs of a Serious Problem

Treatment Options

Whether we like it or not, we live in an image-obsessed society. We are inundated with celebrity and media ideals that heavily influence many individuals to strive to attain an unrealistic image and body ideal. This can hurt anyone's self-perception and it can be considerably damaging to teenagers and adolescents, who are still growing. In addition, it may influence them to engage in risk behaviors.

It can be normal for teens to compare themselves to others as they work on arriving at their own unique identities. However, in the area of body image this can take the form of comparing themselves to unrealistic media images.

Children's mental health experts at Bradley Hospital say it is helpful to discuss with teens the ways in which media images are unrealistic due to airbrushing and computerized alterations. It is also important to encourage teens to embrace their unique qualities. Recognizing that there is no one ideal of physical attractiveness helps teens build self confidence.

More Parenting Advice


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Bradley Hospital
Parent Guides

Bradley Hospital helps you deal with difficult parenting issues in these comprehensive reference sections:

Effective Discipline
Current attitudes, ideas and help for parents of toddlers, teens and kids in between.
En español

Alcohol & Drug Abuse
Understanding potential problems, signs of abuse, and tips for prevention and intervention.
En español

Depression & Suicide
Recognize the signs of depression, why kids fall victim and what you can do to help.
En español

Teenage Parties
What you don't know can hurt you. Tips for parents of hosts and guests. Plus, ideas for a successful bash.
En español

Life's Difficult Changes
Symptoms of transitional difficulty in parents and kids and advice for dealing with change.
En español

Parent/Child Communication
Feel like you're from different planets? Here's how to find middle ground.
En español

Childhood Chores
Why household chores are important for kids and teens.
En español

Healthful Leisure
 A little leisure might be just what your family needs. Why leisure time is important and how to add more to your life.
En español

Rhode Island Parents' Guide to Children's Mental Health
(PDF 5.07mb)

Have questions about common children's mental health problems? Download this one-stop resource for those answers plus information about advocacy organizations and support groups.

(This document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have it installed you can download it now for free.)